da jogodeouro： The Reds are on the lookout for a new manager after the German's bombshell announcement that he would be leaving – so who could step in?

da bet sport： Liverpool are looking for a new manager! Friday's shock announcement confirmed that Jurgen Klopp is stepping down from his position at the end of the season, with the Reds board likely to be moving at speed to find his replacement.

The likes of Xabi Alonso, Roberto De Zerbi and Steven Gerrard will all be linked with taking over, with Bayer Leverkusen head coach Alonso undoubtedly the favourite, given the impressive start to his managerial career and his strong ties to Liverpool from his playing days.

Whoever steps in will have the unenviable task of trying to keep the Reds in the hunt for major honours, with Klopp having been a transformative presence since he was hired at Anfield back in 2015, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League during an incredible decade of success for the club.

So who is the ideal replacement? GOAL takes a look at the candidates…

Getty ImagesXabi Alonso

Unquestionably the strongest candidate out there, both a romantic option and a quality one. The Basque was a crucial part of Liverpool's rebirth in the mid-2000s, adding class and power to their midfield, scoring two goals from the halfway line and being the engine of Rafael Benitez's side that won the 2005 Champions League. His career path was the perfect apprenticeship for a budding manager, working under Benitez, Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola, and he took the long route, learning his trade with the reserve side of his boyhood club Real Sociedad before taking charge of Bayer Leverkusen last year.

And he has done an exceptional job, taking a team that rarely competed for the top four to the top of the Bundesliga, sitting four points clear of Bayern Munich and still remaining unbeaten after 18 matches. Becoming the first manager to break the Bavarians' 11-year stranglehold on the German title would further cement his credentials to take over at Anfield but even if Leverkusen eventually lose out, he is still the No.1 choice. The trouble is, Real Madrid may also have their sights on him too.

Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesRoberto De Zerbi

The Italian has been a revelation at Brighton, with his brand of attacking football and impressive recruitment seeing the Seagulls qualify for the Europa League last season and emerge as genuine contenders for a Champions League spot – now and in the future. He'd clearly represent a shrewd appointment if Liverpool were able to get hold of him.

GettySteven Gerrard

How could we compile of list of potential Klopp replacements without mentioning Gerrard? Liverpool's influential former captain was being touted as the most likely to take over during his high points in charge of Rangers and then Aston Villa, although his managerial career has nosedived since then, with the Reds icon struggling somewhat at Al-Ettifaq. A move to back to Liverpool right now, as much as it would undoubtedly be part of Gerrard's ideal career plan, doesn't look likely, especially as he's just signed a mega new contract to remain in Saudi Arabia until at least 2027.

GettyGraham Potter

Out of work and looking for his next big job, Potter would likely jump at the chance to step in at Anfield and take over from Klopp at the end of the season. He remains the favourite to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United and that move still seems more likely to happen than him rocking up on Merseyside. Indeed, Liverpool are likely to have been put off by the ex-Brighton manager's record at Chelsea, where he was sacked last season after just six months.