Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Klopp chances of prising key Frankfurt man to Liverpool rated as trusted source admits ‘it would be hard to say no’

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool have learned that a top Eintracht Frankfurt figure would find a potential move to Anfield difficult to refuse if the opportunity arose this summer.

The Reds have suffered an alarming drop off under Jurgen Klopp this season. Now in his seventh season at Anfield, the Reds have enjoyed one of the most-successful spells in their history under his leadership. And in reaching three Champions League finals, as well as ending their 30-year wait to become English champions, Klopp will forever be a legend on Merseyside.

However, this season they are in danger of their worst-ever finish under him. As it stands, the Reds are currently seventh in the table and six points adrift of the top-four places.

Their trophy hopes also hang by the thinnest of threads too, with their only chance of glory being the most unlikely of turnarounds against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

As a result, wholesale changes are expected to the first-team squad this summer. To that end, Danny Murphy has named six players who need to be moved on this summer if Liverpool are to return to greatness.

Indeed, Liverpool are expected to spend a fair wedge of cash in the summer market. Their midfield needs a serious shake-up, while there are also question marks over their defence too.

And with Jude Bellingham their No 1 target, any such deal for the Borussia Dortmund man will almost certainly set them back a club-record fee.

However, it is not just on the playing side where issues need resolving for Liverpool.

READ MORERio Ferdinand delivers Bellingham dagger to Liverpool as next club are named and Dortmund finally reveal their price

Liverpool looking at move for Markus Krosche

And with sporting director Julian Ward due to step down at the end of the season after just a year in the role, Liverpool are on the hunt for a would-be replacement.

The role has become increasingly important for Liverpool over the past decade. And the unparalleled success enjoyed by Ward’s predecessor Michael Edwards has been key to Liverpool’s success under Klopp.

As such, finding the right man to fill the void will prove crucial to Liverpool in both the short and long term.

One name who they have been strongly linked with is Markus Krosche. The German is well known to Klopp, and has been earning rave reviews for the job he has done at Eintracht Frankfurt.

And while Liverpool are yet to make an official approach, Bild’s Christian Falk, speaking to Caught Offside, admits an approah from Liverpool would be hard to turn down.

“Markus Krosche is very important for Frankfurt. He’s the next man after Fredi Bobic left the club and no one’s really feeling the exit as things stand; everyone was talking about ‘Bobic, Bobic, Bobic’ but Krosche is doing a great job in the sporting director role,” Falk said.

“It’s a long-term project normally but if Liverpool were interested – it would be hard to say no.

“I heard in the club that Krosche himself hasn’t informed any of the bosses or anyone else that there’s something concrete. It could be that he’s on the list at Liverpool because he’s a man everyone in European football will be looking at, as he comes from the Red Bull school.

“He previously worked at Leipzig and left because of internal problems. It’s always the case that things can get difficult when you have your vision and somebody has a different one.”

Krosche a good option for Liverpool

Falk continued: “I’m sure he’s interesting for Liverpool. I don’t think he’s doing everything to leave Frankfurt because it’s also an interesting project for him. But if Liverpool’s interest becomes concrete, I’m sure they’ll talk. But it’s not so concrete at the moment.

“I do think from the profile that it would be a good fit. Jurgen Klopp would get a German guy; he’s young; played football (that’s not common); I think he understands football very well, so he could be a good sounding board for Klopp.

“Perhaps you’ll get the next German but it’s not concrete.

“The Athletic says he’s on the list. And I think Liverpool wouldn’t be doing a good job if he wasn’t on the list!”

Krosche’s contract at Frankfurt is not due to expire until summer 2025. As such, Liverpool would have to pay a sizeable settlement figure to bring him in from Deutsche Bank Park.

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