Jurgen Klopp is keen on Liverpool job and willing to end sabbatical early as pressure continues to mount on Brendan Rodgers

  • Jurgen Klopp is prepared to cut short his sabbatical after only four months
  • Pressure growing on Brendan Rodgers after series of poor results
  • Klopp has long been bookmakers' favourite to replace Liverpool manager 
  • No contact between Fenway Sports Group and Klopp's advisors yet
  • Carlo Ancelotti has also been strongly linked with the Reds' top job
  • Jurgen Klopp vs Carlo Ancelotti: Who's the best man for the Liverpool job?

Brendan Rodgers has seen his position become even more vulnerable after Jurgen Klopp signalled his desire to end his sabbatical and manage in England.

After Sportsmail revealed on Wednesday that Carlo Ancelotti had been sounded out by Fenway Sports Group over the prospect of replacing Rodgers – Liverpool have denied that was the case – Klopp has let it be known he is ready to start working once more.

Klopp, the charismatic German manager, has long been the bookmakers’ favourite to replace Rodgers and he would be the choice of many Liverpool fans, if and when FSG take the decision to end the 42-year-old’s spell in charge.

Brendan Rodgers' position at Liverpool has become more vulnerable with Jurgen Klopp waiting in the wings

Brendan Rodgers' position at Liverpool has become more vulnerable with Jurgen Klopp waiting in the wings

Rodgers driving away from Melwood on Thursday as questions surround his future at the club

Rodgers driving away from Melwood on Thursday as questions surround his future at the club

First team coach Gary McAllister heads home from training at Melwood after a difficult week for Liverpool 

First team coach Gary McAllister heads home from training at Melwood after a difficult week for Liverpool 

Assistant manager Sean O'Driscoll leaves Liverpool's Melwood training ground on Thursday

Assistant manager Sean O'Driscoll leaves Liverpool's Melwood training ground on Thursday

Though Klopp has not made any public comment, it is understood he would relish the opportunity to revive Liverpool’s ailing fortunes but, as yet, there has been no contact between FSG and Klopp’s advisors.

Rodgers, whose side scrapped through their Capital One Cup tie with Carlisle on penalties, returned to work as normal on Thursday and was the last senior member of the club’s coaching staff to leave their Melwood training base shortly before 6pm.

Ian Ayre, Liverpool’s Chief Executive, had spent part of the afternoon at Melwood – he now has an office there, as well one in the city centre – but that was not an indication that Rodgers was about to receive the news that FSG want to go in a different direction.

Liverpool Chief Executive Ian Ayre spent part of the afternoon in his Melwood office

Liverpool Chief Executive Ian Ayre spent part of the afternoon in his Melwood office

His presence was not an indication that Rodgers' position at the club was under any immediate threat

His presence was not an indication that Rodgers' position at the club was under any immediate threat

John W Henry and Tom Werner remain the best known members of FSG but, ultimately, the decision on Rodgers’ future will be taken by Mike Gordon, who is FSG Sports President and conducted the end of season review in June in which Rodgers was given a reprieve.

Many will wonder why FSG are prepared to act now, given there seemed to be a natural opportunity to make a break after Liverpool were thrashed 6-1 by Stoke on the final day of last season and especially after £80million was invested on new players in the summer.

Rodgers will be without the two men who took up 75 per cent of that expenditure against Aston Villa on Saturday – Christian Benteke, the £32.5million striker, has damaged his hamstring and £29million Brazil international Roberto Firmino has injured his back.

Klopp left his job at Borussia Dortmund in May and intended to take a year-long sabbatical

Klopp left his job at Borussia Dortmund in May and intended to take a year-long sabbatical

Ancelotti left Real Madrid in May and is currently assessing his next managerial options

Ancelotti left Real Madrid in May and is currently assessing his next managerial options

Klopp and Ancelotti have both been strongly linked with the Liverpool top job should Rodgers leave

Klopp and Ancelotti have both been strongly linked with the Liverpool top job should Rodgers leave

It is doubtful whether a win will do anything for Rodgers’ long-term prospects but Danny Ings, whose performances against Norwich and Carlisle have quickly endeared him to the Kop, believes it is crucial that the squad accept the pressure that is on them.

‘The expectation is a lot greater at a club like Liverpool than where I have come from, but I find that a real positive,’ said Ings, who showed the responsibility that is required when he volunteered to take the fifth penalty in the shootout with Carlisle.

‘I use it as a fuel to motivate myself to do well for the fans, the staff, the manager and I’m sure the other players feel exactly the same way. We’ve gone through a sticky patch as a team and it is just important for us now to start winning games and go on a run.’

Danny Ings scored two goals in two games for Liverpool this week despite disappointing results for the Reds

Danny Ings scored two goals in two games for Liverpool this week despite disappointing results for the Reds

Ings has settled well on Anfield and says he uses the expectation at the club as fuel to motivate himself

Ings has settled well on Anfield and says he uses the expectation at the club as fuel to motivate himself

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