Liverpool FC news recap: Jota out for MONTHS, Bayern enter Alonso race & new DoF candidates

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted the club’s current injury situation is “not great” as his side prepared for Wednesday night’s Premier League visit of Luton Town with a depleted squad. 

Alisson Becker missed the 4-1 win at Brentford with a “muscle injury” with Caoimhin Kelleher taking over in goal, while Klopp’s problems were compounded at the Gtech Community Stadium by fresh injuries to Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones. 

Klopp said the Jota's knee injury would keep him out for "months", while he stressed the need to closely monitor Jones' ankle injury.

Alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai and Thiago, it means the Reds have a sizeable injury list at a key juncture of the Premier League season.

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Bayern make Xabi Alonso their 'plan A'

Bayern Munich are looking to appoint Xabi Alonso as their new coach this summer, according to reports in Germany, in what would be a significant blow to Liverpool.

The Reds have been heavily linked with a move for their former midfielder Alonso as a successor to Jurgen Klopp. 

Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg claims that Alonso is the 'top candidate' and 'plan A' to succeed Tuchel, but the Spaniard is showing no signs of leaving his post at Leverkusen before the summer.

While Alonso is set to see out the season in his current post, the lack of other viable alternatives is another reason why Bayern may end up sticking with Tuchel until the summer.

The latest reports from Germany claim that Bayern would even consider Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as a stop-gap solution, such is the lack of available options. 

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Two new names linked to director of football vacancy

While much of the public's focus has been on Liverpool's search for a new manager, an equally important role must also be filled: that of the sporting director.

With Jorg Schmadtke leaving the role in conjunction with his friend and compatriot Jurgen Klopp, the Reds must now find the fourth person to hold this title at the club since 2022, when Michael Edwards officially departed.

The club must move to appoint a full-time replacement - and they expect to do so before appointing a new manager, according to Simon Hughes in The Athletic.

The same report names two men who are believed to be under consideration for the role: Frederic Massara, currently on gardening leave at AS Roma, and Florent Ghisolfi, the sporting director at Nice.

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Steidten 'unhappy' at West Ham

West Ham's technical director Tim Steidten is reportedly 'unhappy' at the club, while there are concerns the German could leave his role this summer, amid interest from Liverpool.

According to the Guardian, there is 'growing concern' that Steidten has been left 'frustrated' at a lack of power in his role, while there has been some conflict with manager David Moyes over transfer targets.

It is noted that Steidten would be put in charge of finding a head coach, if or when Moyes is removed, while the Hammers have attempted to make their recruitment chief more comfortable by allowing him to make key backroom appointments, including bringing in his brother, Moritz Steidten, as head of international scouting.

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Frimpong admits interest in Liverpool move

Bayer Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong has said a transfer to Liverpool 'would be great', amid speculation over a summer move.

The 23-year-old has enjoyed a standout campaign in 2023/24 to date, scoring seven times and registering six assists for Xabi Alonso's unbeaten side.

When asked about potential interest from Liverpool by Ziggo Sport (via Soccer News), Frimpong did nothing to dispel the rumours.

He is reported to have said: "Liverpool? Great club, with history. That would be great. Who knows what the future will bring.”

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Reds enquire about Brazilian wonderkid

Liverpool have made an enquiry for teenage starlet Luis Guilherme ahead of a possible summer move, according to rumours coming from his native Brazil.

The 18-year-old attacking midfielder is known as one of the standout talents in his homeland, following a breakthrough in the Palmeiras first-team last year.

According to Nosso Palestra, Liverpool have "carried out a consultation" for long-term target Guilherme and are considering a move in the summer transfer window.

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Jones 'should be in the England squad'

Former Premier League striker Jay Bothroyd has showered praise on Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, insisting that he is vastly underrated and deserves senior international recognition for his performances this season.

Speaking on the Optus Sport Football Podcast, the former Blackburn and QPR forward stressed that the 23-year-old should be receiving more credit for the way he has made himself a first-team regular this season.

"People sleep on Curtis Jones. He’s important to the way they [Liverpool] play," he said. "He doesn’t get enough credit."

Jones has featured in all but one Premier League game that he has been available for this season.

Bothroyd went on to add: "He should be in the England squad. That’s how good he is."

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David James names surprise Klopp successor

Former Reds goalkeeper David James has now thrown another name into the Jurgen-Klopp-replacement mix: that of current Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic.

When asked by GGRecon who he thought should replace Klopp, James said: "I’ve already said that Edin Terzic, who I know personally, should be in the mix because of his Borussia Dortmund links, which is obviously similar to Jürgen Klopp."

The 41-year-old German, currently in his second spell with Dortmund, boasts a commendable track record, averaging two points per game in his initial tenure (during which he clinched the DFB-Pokal title in 2021), then 1.95 points per game during his current spell.

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