Pundit Darren Bent has suggested that former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel could potentially replace Jurgen Klopp as manager of Liverpool.
Speaking on talkSPORT on deadline day (31 January, 5pm), the former England international claimed the Reds boss may decide to leave the club if their difficulties continue over the course of the season.
“I don’t think they are going to sack him,” Bent said.
“But he might walk. I can’t see them sacking him.”
When asked about who could take the reins as Klopp’s successor, Bent suggested it could be the man who replaced him at both Mainz and Borussia Dortmund.
“I don’t think (the Liverpool owners) are turning to Jose (Mourinho),” he added.
“Thomas Tuchel? Maybe. But not Jose.”
Speaking of the Reds’ season, the pundit concluded: “(Liverpool’s) battle is to try and make top four.
“Am I completely writing them off? Absolutely not. Because, once they get their players back, they’ve got an opportunity still.”
Tuchel to replace Klopp at Liverpool
Tuchel has already replaced Klopp twice: at Mainz and at Dortmund.
After spending two years at Paris Saint-Germain, he took over Chelsea – where he was in charge for a year-and-a-half.
Despite winning the Champions League at the end of the 2020/21 season, the German was sacked after just seven Premier League games this term.
Touted with moves to other English teams, Tuchel remains unemployed at the moment.
With many feeling his departure at Chelsea was unfair and somewhat premature, pundits have backed the manager for a number of big jobs going forward.
Klopp is currently under contract at Anfield until the summer of 2026. However, as Bent suggested, the German could walk much sooner if things don’t change on Merseyside.
If this was the case, Tuchel could be a brilliant replacement to come in.
However, nobody wants Klopp to leave Liverpool anytime soon. Instead, fans would love for him to see his deal out – with further calls for a contract extension.