Who Could Replace Brendan Rodgers? The Shortlist

“When you spend over £100m you’d expect to be challenging for the league”. These words, uttered just over seven months ago in relation to Spurs, could come back to haunt Brendan Rodgers.

At the time, he seemed infallible as Liverpool’s title challenge was still in full swing.

Fast-forward seven months and, after four successive defeats, Rodgers himself admits his job could be on the line.

But, if it does happen, who could Liverpool get to replace him?

Rafa Benitez
Former boss Rafa Benitez would be the sentimental choice amongst Liverpool fans to return to the club he lead to a Champions League title.

Despite currently managing Napoli, Benitez’s family still reside on Merseyside and it is believed he’d jump at the chance of a second stint in charge at Anfield.

It’s not felt that his short spell as Chelsea Interim Manager would have any detrimental effect on his chances of returning to his former club.

Jurgen Klopp
Klopp has been heavily linked with the Liverpool job this morning, should Rodgers be relieved of his duties.

Despite his Borussia Dortmund side languishing in the Bundesliga relegation zone, Klopp remains one of the most highly-respected coaches in European football.

He’s always been resolute in his loyalty to Dortmund, but this wavered slightly at the weekend when he hinted that England is the only other country he can see himself working in – in a statement that just fell short of a come-and-get-me-plea.

Ronald Koeman
Koeman’s stock is high in the Premier League after miraculously guiding Southampton to second place following a turbulent summer.

He has already had to play down a link to the Netherlands job, where Guus Hiddink is under increasing pressure following poor post-World Cup form.

However, his work on a budget at St. Mary’s and at Feyenoord have alerted Premier League chairmen to his talents and he can expect to be linked with any future vacancies amongst the traditional top six clubs.

Frank De Boer
Another up-and-coming Dutch manager, De Boer was eager to take over at Spurs in the summer before Mauricio Pochettino’s appointment.

He’s said in the past that Liverpool is a club he thinks “in the future I could be a manager of” and was allegedly approached by the club before Rodgers’ appointment.

De Boer’s track record of success with Ajax, his ability to develop players and his tactical nous would make him the ideal, youthful candidate should FSG decide to replace their current boss.

Steven Gerrard
It seems to be clear to everyone, bar Brendan Rodgers, that Gerrard’s playing abilities are on the wane.

Gerrard has previously outlined that his “dream” is to become Liverpool manager when he retires and has started his coaching badges in the last year.

Like fellow one-club man Ryan Giggs at Manchester United, it’d be hard to see Gerrard coach anywhere but at the club he’s spent his entire playing career. However, Giggs’ short spell as caretaker manager at Old Trafford will be a warning sign to Gerrard that the transition from player to manager can be a daunting one.