Liverpool have talked about hiring 41-year-old manager who plays just like Roberto De Zerbi

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Liverpool new manager shortlist appears to have gotten longer, not shorter, after Xabi Alonso took himself out of the running.

Alonso had been the outstanding candidate to take over from Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season. Other names have been continuously been mentioned too, but the former Liverpool midfielder was surely the top choice.

As a result, it seems as though the Reds have broadened their search. Ruben Amorim appears to be the new favourite, with the 39-year-old ticking a lot of boxes.

However, others shouldn’t be ruled out either. Roberto De Zerbi in particular keeps being linked, with the Brighton boss firmly in the picture.

According to The Athletic today though, Liverpool have looked at – or are still looking at – at least five other candidates besides Amorim and De Zerbi. With one drawing comparisons to the Seagulls head coach.

Who’s now on Liverpool’s manager shortlist

In terms of Amorim and De Zerbi, the former is said to be under ‘serious consideration,’ while the latter has also been ‘discussed.’

The same can also be said of five other options for Liverpool though, with a couple of very interesting names being thrown up.

Perhaps the most fascinating is Bologna coach Thiago Motta. Motta has already been mentioned as someone worth considering for the Reds and his name has reportedly come up during conversations from those doing the hiring.

The 41-year-old is doing a superb job at Bologna at this season, with the Rossoblu sitting fourth in the Serie A table. Juventus are also claimed to be interested in hiring Motta for next season.

Read More: Why Liverpool should be seriously considering hiring Thiago Motta

Another to have reportedly been spoken about is Julian Nagelsmann, who is said to have scored well on internal data tests. Meanwhile, both Thomas Frank of Brentford and Lille’s Paulo Fonseca are claimed to have ‘admirers’ within Liverpool.

Is Thiago Motta a serious option for Liverpool

In our opinion, there’s absolutely no reason that Liverpool shouldn’t be seriously considering Motta for Klopp’s successor.

The former Barcelona, PSG and Inter Milan midfielder has done exceptionally well across two seasons in Italy. He hasn’t hit the heights Alonso has, but Motta doesn’t appear to be a flash in the pan.

His ideas in coaching are seemingly somewhat revolutionary, and according to a separate report from The Athletic, Bologna’s ‘short, sharp passes to move the opposition structure and bait the press before working an opening’ are similar to De Zerbi’s Brighton.

We’re not actually convinced that De Zerbi is the best option for Liverpool. But we’d be willing to take a chance on Motta. There does seem to be a few candidates better placed than the Brazilian-born former Italy international, but he’s one to keep an eye on.