Klopp will leave Liverpool at the end of the season (Picture: Getty)
Former Liverpool full-back Glen Johnson believes Wolves boss Gary O’Neil could be a surprise contender for the Liverpool job, believing he has earned the right to be considered for ‘top six’ clubs.
At the end of January, Klopp announced his shock decision to walk away from Anfield at the end of the season.
Liverpool are in no rush to name his successor but are believed to be targeting former midfielder Xabi Alonso, currently working wonders at Bayer Leverkusen who are eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
Bayern Munich have also made the Spaniard their top target to replace Thomas Tuchel, having announced this week they will be parting company with the German at the end of the season.
Facing a fight for Alonso, Liverpool could be left to ponder other options with Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi and Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim also among the favourites.
Former England international Johnson, who spent six years at Anfield, has been impressed with the job O’Neil has done at Wolves having been dismissed by Bournemouth at the end of last season.
Having done a terrific job at Molineux, Johnson believes O’Neil is showing the right qualities to takeover at a side like Liverpool in the future.
O’Neil has Wolves up to 11th in the table (Picture: Getty)
Asked by Squawka which English managers deserve a chance at a club like Liverpool or another top six side, Johnson said: ‘Right now, I think there’s no doubt it has to be Gary O’Neil.
‘He’s doing a great job at Wolves, from where he took over. They were really struggling, and now, they’re not winning games by a fluke, they’re dominating games and looking like a real side. And obviously they don’t have the players that the top six have.
‘So someone like that can get players firing, and motivated.
More Trending
‘Then if you do the same with better players, then of course you’re to kick on. So right now it has to be Gary O’Neil.
Liverpool moved back to the top of the Premier League with a 4-1 win over Luton Town on Wednesday.
On Saturday, they take on Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final.