Liverpool's manager options after Amorim snub - Carragher's favourite to The Special One

Liverpool's hunt for Jurgen Klopp's successor has hit another snag as Ruben Amorim become the second manager to distance themselves from Anfield.

The Sporting Lisbon boss has now reportedly held talks with West Ham United, with a move to the Merseysiders now described as "unlikely". This is a new setback for Liverpool, who have already seen Xabi Alonso commit his future to Bayer Leverkusen.

Reds' legend Jamie Carragher took to X to convey his belief that Brighton and Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi may be the new favourite to move to Anfield. He tweeted: "Richard Hughes (Liverpool sporting director) wanted De Zerbi at Bournemouth, so he must be the favourite if this is true". As Liverpool's managerial search continues, Daily Star Sport considers the potential options to replace Klopp.

READ MORE: Liverpool stunned as Ruben Amorim holds talks with West Ham over replacing David Moyes

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool analytics team got Fulham fans 'laughing' – but were key to win

Pep Lijnders

One of the options is Pep Lijnders, a Dutchman who joined Liverpool as a coach in 2014. Despite briefly leaving in 2018 to manage NEC in his homeland, he quickly returned. The 41-year-old has been Klopp's right-hand man throughout his tenure and earned some huge praise from the man himself.

"The most influential guy in the last years definitely in this club was Pep Lijnders," Klopp said recently. "The job he did is absolutely exceptional. The inspiration he is for me is absolutely exceptional."

However, like Klopp, Lijnders has announced that he is leaving. Lijnders explained: "It's not easy leaving such a club.

"But in life, I feel always you have to do the right thing and the right thing means that in the summer we said we continue and we go with all we have, we make it 'the Last Dance', we make it like a proper ending."

Lijnders is leaving to find a managerial role elsewhere. But those ambitions could feasibly be fulfilled at Liverpool, were the club to offer him the job.

Roberto De Zerbi

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Brighton would have something to say about De Zerbi leaving for Merseyside, but it is unlikely they would be able to stop him leaving if Liverpool came calling. The Italian is an ambitious man and would surely be tempted by the step up.

De Zerbi is a bit like Klopp with his big energy and love for football. He's had ups and downs at Brighton and sometimes mixes up the team a lot, which could be a worry.

"I am very sad, we are losing one of the best coaches in the world," he said about Klopp. "His personality, I like him because of his energy and character. If he changes leagues it is not a good thing for the Premier League."

Jose Mourinho

Of course, this would be a hugely unexpected appointment for the Merseysiders to make. Mourinho is the polar opposite to Klopp when it comes to playing styles and personality. Yet, the ex-Chelsea and Manchester United manager was in attendance at Craven Cottage to watch the Reds take on Fulham.

Taking over from Klopp is a position which may be viewed as a poisoned chalice by the football world, particularly if the Merseysiders do manage to win the Premier League. Managers may also look at the difficulties Unai Emery and David Moyes had when they took over from Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson at Arsenal and Manchester United respectively.

If there is a manager who would unquestionably back themselves to buck that trend, it is the self-confessed 'Special One'.

Zinedine Zidane

Since stepping down from his role as Real Madrid manager for the second time in May 2021, Zidane's name has been linked with numerous positions. He's reportedly turned down offers from the United States and Brazil, holding out for the right opportunity.

While he might seem like a long shot for Liverpool, there's no denying Zidane's winning pedigree - two La Liga trophies and three Champions League titles with Real speak for themselves.

His record of 174 wins from 263 games as Real's boss is impressive but can he replicate this success elsewhere? That's something Liverpool will have to consider carefully.

Thomas Frank

The Brentford manager is understood to be "admired" by members of the Anfield hierarchy. When asked about the possibility of moving to Anfield, Frank has never chosen to shut down any possible links.

While the Bees have struggled at times this season, it appears the Dane has consolidated Brentford's place in the Premier League for the third season in a row. GiveMeSport has also claimed the Liverpool hierarchy are fans of Brentford's high energy, high pressing style, which is not too dissimilar to Klopp's philosophy.

Graham Potter

Not long ago, Potter was the talk of the town in the Premier League due to his work with Brighton. Chelsea were so impressed they forked out £21.5m to bring him and his team on board in September 2022.

However, things didn't pan out at Chelsea, where high expectations and little patience left him little room for success. Despite that, he's still tipped for a comeback in management and, given the right opportunity, there's every chance he could make a successful return.

One of the main challenges Potter faced at Chelsea was managing big egos and dealing with the pressures that come with a top club. Whether he has the personality to fill Klopp's boots is something Liverpool's bosses will need to think about.

Arne Slot

The Feyenoord manager has built a solid reputation for himself in the Netherlands and has already attracted interest from the Premier League, having been on Tottenham's radar before they landed Ange Postecoglou last summer.

Slot, 45, won the Eredivisie title last season and clinched the Dutch Cup this term by defeating NEC on Sunday. Liverpool are now keeping a close eye on him ahead of a potential approach.