Steven Gerrard looks more likely to replace Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager when he leaves, but there is reportedly stiff competition.
Klopp, who joined Liverpool in 2015, recently signed a contract tying him to the club until 2024.
Already there is speculation surrounding the German coach’s position and who will take over when he eventually does depart.
Current Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has been the heaviest linked candidate for the role.
However, The Athletic's Liverpool reporter James Pearce claim the Liverpool legend is not necessarily the favourite and faces strong competition from two men in particular.
“Pep Lijnders is massively respected by the owners and is a popular figure in the club,” Pearce said in a Q and A.
“He would certainly be part of the conversation.”
Lijnders is Klopp's number two at Liverpool and is regarded as having a very good chance of taking over from his mentor.
Klopp personally asked the 37-year-old, who is thought could offer the slickest transition, to return to the club for a second spell after he left.
Pearce's next name was Julian Naglesmann, the RB Leipzig coach who is thriving in Germany.
He added: “If Julian Nagelsmann's career remains on an upward curve at that time he’s bound to be of interest too.”
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The 32-year-old Naglesmann just masterminded the undoing of Tottenham in the Champions League round of 16, making the German the youngest coach ever to win in such a knockout phase.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago
