Slot a leading candidate to succeed Klopp

Feyenoord's Arne Slot is a leading candidate to take over as Liverpool manager from Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp announced in January he would leave Anfield at the end of the season and the Reds have been conducting extensive research around a number of candidates.

The 45-year-old, who led Feyenoord to the 2022-23 Eredivisie title, has emerged as a candidate who fits Liverpool's criteria.

Feyenoord have won the Dutch Cup this season and are second in the Eredivisie.

The decision to appoint Slot has not been made but he has become a strong candidate to succeed Klopp.

He was linked with Leeds United after they sacked manager Jesse Marsch, while Slot also ruled himself out of contention for the Tottenham Hotspur job last summer before Ange Postecoglou took over.

Slot then extended his contract with Feyenoord until 2026.

At the time he was being linked with Spurs, he said: "The next step will not be another club in Holland. If that is the next step, I’ve failed completely in the upcoming few years.

"A normal next step would be to go abroad and I’ve always said that the best league in the world is the Premier League."

The attacking style of Slot, who is also thought to be interesting Barcelona and Bayern Munich, and his ability to develop players are believed to appeal to Liverpool.

Slot became Feyenoord head coach in summer 2021 after a stint at AZ Alkmaar.

The former midfielder spent his entire playing career in the Netherlands, making more than 100 appearances for both FC Zwolle and NAC Breda.

Xabi Alonso was linked with the Anfield job but the former Reds midfielder announced in March he would stay on at Bayer Leverkusen, who have since become German champions.

Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim is another name heavily linked with the Liverpool job.