Fabrizio Romano has confirmed once again that Bayern Munich have pinned down Julian Nagelsmann as the frontrunner to replace Thomas Tuchel this summer.

This comes amid some links to the soon-to-be-vacant Liverpool manager role, with Jurgen Klopp calling time on an illustrious career at Anfield.

“I want to confirm once again that Julian Nagelsmann is the frontrunner for the Bayern Munich job, ahead of Roberto de Zerbi and Ralf Rangnick, who are two alternatives. What will be important now, in the next few days, will be for Bayern to understand what will happen between Nagelsmann and the German national team,” the CaughtOffside columnist wrote in his exclusive Daily Briefing.

“My understanding is that the German federation want to keep Nagelsmann until 2026, and they have already prepared a new contract proposal for him. They want him to commit to the national team. Nagelsmann himself wants to decide his future before the Euros this summer, and he knows now that Bayern’s interest is strong and concrete.

“Bayern have an idea of what they want their project to be with Nagelsmann, and now it’s about entering into the crucial stages of the conversation. Conversations took place with his agents in recent weeks, he’s the big favourite for the job.”

The German tactician will enjoy a well-deserved sabbatical after a nine-year stint that will have at least delivered one league title and a Champions League trophy back into the Reds’ hands.

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READ MORE: Strong theory now emerging about Xabi Alonso following Liverpool manager snub

READ MORE: ‘We’re hearing’: Fabrizio Romano weighs in on Unai Emery links to Liverpool

Ruben Amorim in the lead to replace Jurgen Klopp?

Despite Ruben Amorim’s concerning comments to the press, it very much appears as if he’s leading the race to replace Jurgen Klopp.

The Portuguese head coach has rightly won plaudits for his style of football and transforming Sporting Lisbon into a regular competitor for the league title in the Primeira Liga.

Should, God forbid, the former Benfica star opt to continue his cycle in Portugal, of course, that leaves Liverpool with one hell of a problem to tackle.

Even more so if another promising candidate in Nagelsmann is snapped up by Bayern Munich this summer.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Niko Kovac rumours, what if Amorim stays at Sporting? Summer contract calls, Crystal Palace review and much more!

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There might be another five days to go before Liverpool resume their Premier League campaign, but Reds fans could be kept busy tonight with a host of Reds players set to represent their countries.

No fewer than 13 members of Jurgen Klopp’s squad could be in action over the next 12 hours or so, with most partaking in friendlies but one hoping to punch a ticket to a major tournament this summer.

We’ve looked at the baker’s dozen of LFC players who’ll be on international duty this evening and tonight, picking out a series of compelling narratives involving a few of those set to take to the pitch for their country.

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Could Kostas be off to Germany?

At 5pm UK time, Georgia and Greece face off in Tbilisi, with both hoping to become the 22nd team to secure a place at Euro 2024.

Kostas Tsimikas will be in action for the visitors as he seeks a first major tournament appearance for his country, who last played on the big stage in the World Cup in Brazil a decade ago.

Should the Greeks qualify this evening, the Liverpool left-back could find himself up against clubmate Diogo Jota in the summer, as the winners of this match join Portugal, Turkey and Czechia in Group F at the finals in June.

READ MORE: Liverpool eyeing move for German prodigy; has one thing in common with 3 Reds youngsters

Another chance for Elliott to fill his boots…and finally get the nod from Southgate?

Harvey Elliott quite enjoyed his most recent outing with England’s under-21s, scoring twice in their 5-1 win away to Azerbaijan last Friday, which took them a step closer to qualification for the European finals in 2025 as they seek to retain the trophy.

The Liverpool gem will fancy his chances of adding to his international tally tonight as Lee Carsley’s side host Luxembourg, which could present an opportunity for another convincing victory.

If the 20-year-old nets another brace and continues his fine form at club level, he’ll surely become impossible for Gareth Southgate to ignore when selecting the Three Lions squad for Euro 2024 – or so you’d like to think.

Friendship set aside for a couple of hours

Conor Bradley spoke glowingly about the helpful advice he’s been receiving from fellow Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson, although their friendship and camaraderie will be put to one side for a couple of hours tonight.

The elder of the two will be on the home side as Scotland continue their preparations for Euro 2024 against Northern Ireland, with the young right-back set to win his 15th senior cap – nearly as many games as he’s played for the Reds’ first team.

We know that both men will be fully committed once they cross the white line – just go easy on each other if you find yourself duelling, lads!

READ MORE: Liverpool fans may be despairing over news that’s been confirmed today for Brighton clash

Could Liverpool duo be facing their next club boss?

We still don’t know who’ll be in charge of Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo at Liverpool next season, although one man who’s been touted as a possible successor to Klopp will be hoping to get one over on the Reds duo tonight.

Netherlands are in Frankfurt to take on Germany, who of course are under the stewardship of Julian Nagelsmann.

The ex-Bayern Munich manager has been touted among the contenders to potentially replace his fellow countryman in the Anfield dugout – will LFC’s Dutchmen be about to come up against their future boss?

A nervous night awaits by the Mediterranean

From a potential future Liverpool manager to the current one…Klopp will be crossing his fingers that all of his players come through the night unscathed, and he may be keeping an especially nervous eye on one man in particular.

Ibrahima Konate missed the Reds’ last three matches with a hamstring injury, although it’s been reported that he’s set to feature for France in their game against Chile in Marseille (Daily Mail).

His club boss won’t be overly keen on seeing the 24-year-old lining out in an international friendly so soon after being sidelined, and with a hectic and pivotal run-in to the season just around the corner.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Michael Edwards and a multi-club model, Alonso’s Liverpool-esque moment and much more!

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Julian Nagelsmann is not understood to be anything other than ‘an outside option’ for the Liverpool manager’s role.

The former Bayern Munich head coach is currently leading Germany’s preparations ahead of the European Championship this summer.

“Although Julian Nagelsmann has been linked with the Reds’ hot-seat ahead of bossing Germany on home soil at Euro 2024, GMS sources have been informed that the hierarchy are not viewing him as anything more than an outside option at this stage of the proceedings,” as was reported on GIVEMESPORT.

This is set to be Jurgen Klopp’s final season with the Reds following in what will have been a trophy-laden nine-year spell in Merseyside.

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READ MORE: Newcastle ‘eager to interview’ Liverpool managerial candidate if they sack Eddie Howe

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Julian Nagelsmann is a top coach but not at the top of our list

From what we gather here at Empire of the Kop, Nagelsmann is appreciated though hardly in the top three of our managerial shortlist.

The 36-year-old’s star rose quickly following an impressive spell with RB Leipzig. However, the challenge of managing the biggest club in Germany – and the tall demands that come with it – proved too much.

Whether that would prove to be the same case with a club of Liverpool’s size and stature is anyone’s guess.

Though the combined options of Roberto De Zerbi, Ruben Amorim and Xabi Alonso potentially available this summer probably means we’ll head in a different direction.

That’s no slight on Nagelsmann, of course, who will have his hands full anyway with Germany’s Euros campaign.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Michael Edwards and a multi-club model, Alonso’s Liverpool-esque moment and much more!

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Liverpool’s search for a new sporting director looks set to conclude imminently, with Richard Hughes seemingly bound for the role, although the hunt for Jurgen Klopp’s successor as manager continues pace.

To that end, the Reds appear to have been handed a boost over one possible candidate, with HITC reporting that Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann is keen to get back into club management and would be open to taking a job in the Premier League.

Intermediaries have apparently made it known to Anfield chiefs (among other clubs) that the 36-year-old could become available to them if they’re interested, with the former RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich boss reportedly among those who Michael Edwards has in mind as a viable contender for the LFC gig.

READ MORE: ‘I really don’t want’ – Commentator urges Michael Edwards to bin off one of his Liverpool plans

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Xabi Alonso remains the first choice of many Liverpool supporters – and reportedly Edwards, too – but if the Bayer Leverkusen manager proves to be unattainable, could Nagelsmann be worth considering?

He’s remarkably experienced in management for a 36-year-old, already taking charge of more than 300 games across his spells at Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, in addition to his current role with Germany (Transfermarkt).

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That’s a phenomenal CV for someone six months younger than the Reds’ third-choice goalkeeper Adrian to rack up, while he’s renowned for his tactical flexibility, innovative approaches to training and preference for the kind of high press which has become a staple at Anfield under Klopp (bundesliga.com).

Nagelsmann also comes with the Liverpool manager’s seal of approval, having previously been described by the 56-year-old as a ‘fantastic coach‘ and a ‘big coaching talent‘.

Whether he’d change his mind and continue with his national team should they impress at (or even win) Euro 2024 on home soil is up for question, but if he stands down after the tournament as currently projected, he could be a strong candidate for us if we can’t get Alonso.

Of course, that’s if the 36-year-old isn’t lured to another club in the meantime, but let’s see what transpires over the coming months.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Michael Edwards’ future, Liverpool contract latest, Musiala to Anfield and much more!

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Michael Edwards is returning to Liverpool, and it seems that he already has a preference as to the identity of the Reds’ next manager.

The 44-year-old worked brilliantly in tandem with Jurgen Klopp during his previous spell at Anfield as sporting director, but the German will be leaving at the end of the season, leaving his successor with an incredibly hard act to follow.

According to HITC, Edwards and FSG are in ‘full agreement’ that Xabi Alonso would be ‘the best fit for the club’, with the Bayer Leverkusen boss working wonders in the Bundesliga and already having plenty of clout on Merseyside following five marvellous years with us as a player in the 2000s.

There’s believed to be a ‘confidence at Liverpool’ that the hierarchy will get their first choice, but they have alternatives in mind in case the Spaniard doesn’t work out, with Roberto De Zerbi and Julian Nagelsmann namechecked as two other viable candidates.

READ MORE: Persistence pays off: How FSG chiefs succeeded in luring Michael Edwards back to Liverpool

READ MORE: ‘One to watch’ – Reliable reporter claims Liverpool have 22y/o Bundesliga gem on their ‘shortlist’

On top of this morning’s news about Edwards returning, Liverpool fans will also be encouraged to hear that Alonso is his preferred choice to take over from Klopp, and that there’s a confidence within the hierarchy that the 42-year-old can be enticed to Anfield from Leverkusen.

The battle with Bayern Munich for his services looks set to continue apace over the coming weeks, but with the Reds seemingly about to land Richard Hughes as sporting director, having the revamped boardroom in place should help considerably with LFC’s search for their next manager.

As for the alternative options mentioned in the report, De Zerbi is keeping Brighton in contention to qualify for Europe again for next season, although his team’s curious tendency to ship heavy defeats (Fulham and Roma offer two recent examples) may be a red flag.

Nagelsmann has already experienced some of the biggest coaching jobs in European football by the age of 36, while he’s currently set to become available once Germany’s involvement in Euro 2024 concludes, unless he’s offered and agrees to a renewal of terms with the country’s FA.

Alonso remains the preference of many Liverpool supporters, though, and it’s helpful that he also appears to be Edwards’ first choice to succeed Klopp. The next few weeks could possibly see some big developments in the managerial search.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Michael Edwards’ future, Liverpool contract latest, Musiala to Anfield and much more!

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Liverpool could soon be in line to speak with two prospective candidates to take over the managerial reins from Jurgen Klopp.

According to Football Insider, the Reds are expected to include Ruben Amorim and Julian Nagelsmann on a shortlist of potential replacements for the 56-year-old and are set to line up interviews with both, who join preferred choice Xabi Alonso in the pool of favoured options for the job.

The same outlet have claimed that the latter would prefer to remain in Germany and is likelier to opt for Bayern Munich than LFC, although a Wednesday morning update from Fabrizio Romano suggested that the 42-year-old is fully focused on his current post at Bayer Leverkusen for the time being.

READ MORE: ‘I can guarantee…’ – Fabrizio Romano shares Alonso update which could give Liverpool fans hope

READ MORE: ‘My understanding is…’ – Romano outlines the view from inside Liverpool on their 2023 signings

Amorim’s stock rose further in recent days as his Sporting Lisbon side scored a derby win over arch-rivals Benfica in the first leg of their Taca de Portugal semi-final, while they also sit a point clear at the top of the Primeria Liga with a game in hand and play in the Europa League round of 16 this week.

At just 39 years of age, the Portuguese coach has accrued vast experience in the dugout, rapidly approaching 200 games in charge of his current club (Transfermarkt).

Nagelsmann is two-and-a-half years younger and even further along in his managerial career, taking charge of two of Germany’s biggest clubs in RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, as well as the country’s national team, by the age of 36.

He’ll lead his nation into this summer’s European Championship, which they’ll be hosting, with his future unclear once the tournament ends.

They both seem to be intriguing candidates, with both gaining a wealth of experience as head coaches prior to their respective 40th birthdays, and it should be interesting to see what comes of their prospective interviews with Liverpool, should these reports be accurate.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Michael Edwards’ future, Liverpool contract latest, Musiala to Anfield? One Liverpool star has come alive in last three months and much more!

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Xabi Alonso has been told why he should opt for a move to Liverpool at the end of the season rather than Bayern Munich.

The Spaniard is enjoying a brilliant campaign in charge of Bayer Leverkusen with his side currently eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and through to the knockout stages of the Europa League having won all six of their group games.

The 42-year-old has insisted he’s happy at Leverkusen but with Jurgen Klopp leaving Liverpool at the end of the season and Thomas Tuchel moving on from Bayern in the summer too, Alonso has been linked with both of those jobs.

Former Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann has warned our former No.14, however, that he won’t get as much time to succeed at the Allianz Arena than he might at Anfield.

READ MORE: (Video) ‘Massive game’ – Carragher explains how League Cup success can ‘boost’ Liverpool

Due to the financial superiority that Bayern hold over their Bundesliga rivals silverware is demanded at the club no matter how long you’ve been in the hot seat.

They’ve won the last 11 Bundesliga titles but have work to do if they’re to retain their crown this time around.

Alonso is doing a brilliant job on a shoestring budget compared to what he’d have at Bayern and Liverpool and that’s one of the main reasons why he’s the leading candidate for both of those managerial roles when they become vacant in the summer.

Liverpool’s owners and supporters will also demand success, but it will be a lot different for the Spaniard if he was to opt for a move to the Merseysiders.

Manchester City and Pep Guardiola are the favourites year upon year due to the endless financial backing from their Middle-eastern owners and Klopp has therefore performed miracles to win every major trophy possible on Merseyside and to regularly challenge the Sky Blues during his tenure.

It remains to be seen what decision Alonso will make at the end of the season – he may decide to remain at Leverkusen – but he’s been warned about succeeding Tuchel in Munich.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Jurgen Klopp’s potential successors, reviewing Arsenal vs Liverpool and much more!

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Liverpool will be turning to the data to help them in their quest to find a Jurgen Klopp successor.

A fool’s errand, one might suggest, given the calibre of the man being replaced this summer.

Nonetheless, Cartaret Analytics (via BBC Sport) have gone through the available metrics to rank a number of candidates linked with the job in question.

READ MORE: ‘Friend’ of Xabi Alonso weighs in on next move amid Liverpool & Bayern links

READ MORE: ‘Insane’ Liverpool player could have been sold last summer had Chelsea’s transfer hip shot paid off

Nagelsmann a surprise contender?

1. Ruben Amorim
2. Julian Nagelsmann
3. Thomas Tuchel
4. Ange Postecoglou
5. Xabi Alonso
6. Roberto De Zerbi

Intriguingly, according to the results of Cartaret’s investigation, Julian Nagelsmann would be less of a risk for Liverpool as a managerial signing compared to Bayer Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso.

Admittedly, the German has a larger pool of managerial games to dive into than football’s coming man.

On that basis, we might be better advised to go for one of the likes of the former Bayern boss or Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim.

Though, we’d imagine that our data department will be going into even greater detail behind the scenes before finalising one of the toughest decisions in the club’s history.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Klopp’s successor in the Portuguese league? FSG must learn from one summer transfer and much more!

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If some Liverpool fans were still fearful that Jurgen Klopp would take the vacant Germany head coach position, those worries can be put to rest after news which emerged on Tuesday morning.

Christian Falk reported for Bild that the DFB and Julian Nagelsmann have ‘agreed in principle to work together until the 2024 European Championship’, with the 36-year-old set to take over the national team following the dismissal of Hansi Flick earlier this month.

HEUTE alles klar mit Nagelsmann! @BILD https://t.co/K2cmfPwLNE

— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) September 19, 2023

That sacking had led to reports of the Reds manager being touted as one of the leading candidates to step into the void (90min), but Klopp’s agent Marc Kosicke had made it clear that the 56-year-old had no intention of walking out of his current post at Anfield.

Sharing the news from Falk on his Twitter/X profile, Fabrizio Romano stated: “German DFB now close to completing the formal agreement to appoint Julian Nagelsmann as new head coach of the national team, as @cfbayern reported today.

“Details being discussed on salary as he will take pay cut — Bayern are prepared to terminate Julian’s contact.”

German DFB now close to completing the formal agreement to appoint Julian Nagelsmann as new head coach of the national team, as @cfbayern reported today

Details being discussed on salary as he will take pay cut — Bayern are prepared to terminate Julian’s contact. pic.twitter.com/u5sFXPxz9Y

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 19, 2023

READ MORE: Klopp has given green light for Liverpool to swoop for left-footed gem who’s frustrated Szoboszlai

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp addresses whether he’ll use Liverpool ‘kids’ in Europa League group stage

There never seemed any major concern that Klopp would abandon the Liverpool job to take over from Flick as Germany boss, but this morning’s news from Bild will nonetheless leave Reds fans delighted that any lingering doubts now appear to be put to rest.

There is still a possibility that the 56-year-old accepts an offer to manage his country further down the line, particularly with Nagelsmann only set to be hired until the end of Euro 2024 as things stand, but there’s a sense of security and commitment in that his current contract at Anfield runs until 2026.

Klopp was at both Mainz and Borussia Dortmund for seven years each and is on the brink of entering his ninth year on Merseyside, so he’s very much a man who commits to a job for the long-term rather than walking out at the drop of a hat.

Liverpool fans may well be hoping that the imminent hiring of the 36-year-old goes so well that the German federation asks him to stay on for the 2026 World Cup, in turn dispelling any fears of our legendary figure in the dugout being headhunted by the DFB before then.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Liverpool’s challenge before January transfer window, mentality monsters back? Reds player ‘hung out to dry’ and much more!

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Rumours have already been swirling around Jurgen Klopp’s future and who his potential successor could be.

One name fans won’t be surprised to have seen linked with picking up the reins from the Liverpool coach when he eventually does call time on his Anfield career is that of former Bayern Munich employee Julian Nagelsmann.

Reports from Germany have gone as far as to suggest that the 36-year-old could temporarily take over the German national team and swap places with the former Mainz man after the 2024 European Championship – a possibility refuted by Jan Aage Fjortoft on X.

….only problem with that theory.
Klopp got a contract at Liverpool till 2026.

He doesn’t break contracts and “loves” being at Liverpool https://t.co/ikHaIzydmu

— Jan Aage Fjørtoft (@JanAageFjortoft) September 17, 2023

Klopp has never struck us as an individual who won’t stay true to his contract and has made it clear several times that he will fulfil those terms.

READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano confirms winger Klopp once wanted more than Salah off to Saudi

READ MORE: Two pundits terribly wrong with Liverpool claim and latest stats prove it – opinion

Life with Klopp beyond 2026?

In an ideal world, we’d hope to see the 55-year-old extend beyond 2026 (at which point his contract in Merseyside expires), a not too unrealistic hope one might venture given that the former Dortmund boss has already described his eighth season at Liverpool as ‘Year 1’ and ‘Liverpool reloaded’.

There’s a sense of renewed enthusiasm at the AXA training centre, and who can blame the manager when dealing with talents of the calibre of Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister.

Whether that enthusiasm can power Klopp beyond 2026, of course, remains to be seen.

#Ep90 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: EOTK Insider with Steve Kay – Goncalo Inacio NEXT?

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Although Jorg Schmadtke is not a household name in England, our new sporting director has quite a reputation in Germany, especially after an incident with Julian Nagelsmann.

The event was covered in The Guardian: ‘The incident happened after Hoffenheim equalised in the 90th minute through Kevin Volland while Cologne’s Lukas Klünter was lying injured on the pitch.

‘Schmadtke and the coach, Peter Stöger, jumped up in fury before the former took a chewing gum out of his mouth and threw it in the direction of the 28-year-old Nagelsmann’.

READ MORE: (Images) The good, the bad, the away end and hospitality views all revealed for Anfield Stadium expansion

We always want people with a bit of bite in the club but this might be taking it a little too far!

Perhaps a redeeming feature of the German came when the two sides met again next, with Bundesliga reporter Archie Rhind-Tutt taking to Twitter to share:

This…Köln sporting director Jörg Schmadtke threw chewing gum at Hoffenheim's Julian Nagelsmann at last game – so given him a pack tonight. pic.twitter.com/TuF9RjW5go

— Archie Rhind-Tutt (@archiert1) October 26, 2016

The 59-year-old might need quite good aim to fire any gum towards opposition managers, as we expect he won’t be handed a dugout seat at Anfield but at least those sat next to him can benefit from his generosity of handing the minty treats out!

Book Launch: Crossing the Park with Steve McMahon and Kevin Sheedy

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Jurgen Klopp’s future as Liverpool manager could be under threat with the Reds’ progress in the Champions League playing a potentially decisive role in that regard.

One exclusive report from CaughtOffside has now claimed that Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann has been ‘earmarked’ already as a potential successor should the 55-year-old be shown the door.

“According to our sources, prior to Tuesday night’s first leg at home, conversations regarding the manager’s position between the club’s senior hierarchy had already taken place,” Andrew Walker wrote for the publication.

“One source inside the club has described feelings toward Klopp as ‘samesy’ and in need of ‘freshening up’ with ‘a lot of players looking like they’ve lost their appetite’.

“Ahead of what looks like a crucial period for the German, Liverpool’s decision-makers have earmarked Julian Naglesmann as a potential replacement.

“The 35-year-old, currently in charge of Bayern Munich, has three years left on his deal but sources believe he would ‘jump at the chance’ to succeed Klopp and experience managing in the Premier League.

“While a final decision over Klopp’s future has yet to be decided, it has been suggested that should Liverpool’s board proceed with parting ways with the German, he will be afforded the chance to resign out of respect for what he has achieved during his eight years in charge.”

The Merseysiders suffered a demoralising 5-2 defeat at home to Real Madrid, setting up what will be a mammoth task in the second leg in Madrid.

READ MORE: Reliable journalist drops ‘breaking’ Jude Bellingham transfer update after Liverpool humbled

READ MORE: Liverpool man could be out for long time after exiting pitch clutching his hamstring

Whilst we can appreciate concerns over the alleged ‘seven year itch’ and the stark drop-off in form from the prior campaign, it’s massively unfair to lay all the blame at the coach’s feet.

That’s not to say Klopp shouldn’t take some responsibility for how results have panned out in 2022/23, though the clear need for reinvestment in the summer – and the failure to address shortcomings in January – should stand as an explanation for why our quadruple-hunters have fallen off a cliff performatively.

Sacking the manager before’s had the chance to properly address the issues would be hugely reactive as far as we’re concerned here at Empire of the Kop – even if we should fail to reach the top four or secure silverware.

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RB Leipzig’s Julian Nagelsmann, who has agreed to join Bayern Munich at the end of the season, has responded to claims Ibrahima Konate is nearing a transfer to Liverpool.

The German boss offered a blunt reaction to the rumours, stating it’s not something he’s discussed with the Frenchman.

Addressing the media after Sunday’s 2-0 win over Stuttgart, Nagelsmann said: “[The reports are] perceived like all other rumours. Not that important to me. I haven’t talked to him about it yet,” as per Kicker.

MORE: Details emerge of Henderson’s reaction to ESL news in PL Captains’ WhatsApp group chat

Following a report by The Athletic‘s David Ornstein last month, which stated Konate is nearing a move to Anfield, very few days have gone by without an twist in the defender’s tale.

The young Frenchman was asked about the rumours in a press conference earlier this month and he couldn’t help but smirk and insist “I think I cannot answer this question,” as per the Liverpool Echo.

The Reds, in a desperate state of affairs with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all injured, signed Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak in the January transfer window.

But Davies is yet to make his debut for Liverpool, while Kabak was signed on a six-month loan deal with an option to buy – not obligation – so their futures remain unclear, which only adds fuel to the fire that is the Konate rumours.

The post Manager reacts to news 6’4 centre-half is nearing Liverpool move appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Bayern Munich are set to announce that Julian Nagelsmann will be their new manager for next season, putting an end to the tiresome rumours that Jurgen Klopp could take over from Hansi Flick…

Incredibly, Bayern are paying €25m to Rb Leipzig for the manager’s signature, as Christian Falk reveals.

Done Deal! @FCBayern and @DieRotenBullen agreed on a Transfer of @J__Nagelsmann. The new coach gets a five-years-contract. Bayern will pay a transfer-fee up to 25 Million Euros including Bonus payments @BILD_Bayern

— Christian Falk (@cfbayern) April 27, 2021

We find it pretty horrible that Bayern literally poach the best players and now managers of any club who dare to challenge then in Germany.

There’s lots of good things about the Bundesliga, but this is not one of them.

At least we know Klopp will be staying in England, at least, with Flick now likely to take charge of the German national team.

Rb Leipzig are getting ransacked this summer, with centre-back Dayot Upamecano also joining Bayern and Ibrahima Konate switching to Liverpool.

This much, we know for certain. We’re very much looking forward to the young Frenchman potentially forming a partnership alongside Virgil van Dijk in defence.

The post ‘Done Deal…’ Bayern Munich name new coach to end Jurgen Klopp rumours, says Falk appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

RB Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann has backed Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp to rediscover their form after a shocking run of results.

The reigning Premier League champions have lost their last six games at home on the bounce – the first time that’s happened in the club’s 128-year history.

Speaking in his press conference ahead of tomorrow night’s Champions League clash with Liverpool, Nagelsmann said he ‘feels’ for Klopp and has no doubt the Reds will bounce back.

“I feel for Liverpool and Jurgen especially when you are used to being successful and everything which comes into it with the emotions, the title,” the 33-year-old told journalists (via This Is Anfield).

“And then there is a period that is hard to come through but the players and coach are too good and they will get out of it. This is a difficult phase for the team but they are still a world-class team, it is one of the top world-class coaches.

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“Klopp said this weekend it was his worst period as a coach but he has already mastered some crises and they still have a chance to win the match. There are a lot of details coming together which sometimes means you go down a little bit and you can’t win the matches.

“But we are not talking about the results of Liverpool. It is not important that Liverpool lost against Everton or Fulham. We have the necessary respect for them as we lost the first game and we will do everything we can not to lose the second leg.”

Leipzig will have to take on Liverpool without star man Angelino, after the Spaniard was ruled out of the game – but the Bundesliga outfit will be boosted by the returns of Marcel Halstenberg and captain Marcel Sabitzer.

The Reds take a 2-0 lead into the second leg and will be hoping to avoid yet another humbling after falling apart in their domestic season.

Both sides will travel to Budapest again this week, which could actually come as an advantage for Liverpool, given they’ve lost their last six games at Anfield.

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