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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Josh Williams

Leeds United hand Liverpool perfect chance to watch another Jurgen Klopp replacement

Jurgen Klopp is irreplaceable at Liverpool.

In terms of what the German coach has achieved on Merseyside since arriving in 2015, combined with his ability to personify the core values of the club and its city, Klopp has been a true perfect fit.

Nevertheless, he will eventually call time on his managerial stint at Anfield and when that day comes, Liverpool will have to be prepared to acquire a suitable heir to his throne.

Klopp's current contract is due to expire in 2024. It remains to be seen as to whether he will choose to extend his stay between now and then, but the Reds must plan ahead.

As is often the case when scouting for potential transfer targets, Liverpool will be regularly monitoring the coaching world in order to identify the stars of the next generation.

READ MORE: 'I realised when I gave the answer' - Jurgen Klopp clarifies Liverpool future plan

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The club will be aware of those who are up-and-coming in the future, as well as those who uphold similar principles to Klopp in terms of his playing style.

Since Klopp was appointed by Fenway Sports Group, the 54-year-old has given Liverpool an image. 'Intensity is our identity' is a catchphrase that was uttered by Pep Lijnders some years ago, and it is now written on the walls of Anfield.

Liverpool are commonly associated with pressing, ferocity and emotion. The players who sport the famous red jersey are attack-minded, fast, proactive and aggressive, and supporters of the club are known for their passion.

Whoever eventually replaces Klopp must build upon his body of work rather than starting again from scratch by taking the club in a new direction.

There are a number of coaches from across the world who are likely to be of interest to Liverpool, including an American who has recently joined the Premier League.

After a turbulent run of form, Leeds United replaced Marcelo Bielsa with Jesse Marsch this week, who will now coach the Whites for the remainder of the campaign and beyond.

Marsch is still learning his trade, but he seems to favour a similar brand of football to Klopp during his time in charge of Borussia Dortmund. He places an emphasis on pace, pressing and playing forward whenever possible.

"I have a lot of similarities to the playing style of Marcelo Bielsa in terms of the aggressiveness, intensity and run performances. I am not man-to-man, more zonal or ball orientated," said Marsch after being appointed on Monday.

Klopp himself adopts more of a zonal approach to defending - much like Marsch - and the two have clashed in the Champions League group stages in recent times, with Liverpool coming up against Red Bull Salzburg in 2019.

In one specific match between the two coaches at Anfield, the result ended 4-3 to the Reds in what was a thrilling contest. Locker room footage of Marsch's half-time team talk to his Salzburg players was released on the back of facing Liverpool, which showed his emotion, passion and ability to communicate effectively.

As a product of the Red Bull network - which is packed full of coaches who favour similar brands of proactive and radical football - Marsch won five trophies during his two years as head coach of Salzburg in Austria, before switching to RB Leipzig last summer.

However, the step up to the Bundesliga attached the first red flag to his name. He was sacked before Christmas after just 20 matches in charge, with Leipzig sat 11th in the table having accumulated almost half the number of points as Bayern Munich at the summit.

Leeds seem keen to present him with a platform to redeem himself. In England, Marsch will be able to communicate using his native language - which wasn't the case in Germany - and he'll take charge of a group of players who are accustomed to pressing and intensity.

If all goes well for the 48-year-old at Elland Road, his name could pop up on Liverpool's shortlist in the next few years, although those in charge of the Reds would likely prefer Klopp to sign a lifetime deal.

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