Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders says it is impossible to replace Jurgen Klopp and the club must find someone who can develop their own dynasty. Klopp's shock decision to step down at the end of the season means owners Fenway Sports Group will have to find a successor for a manager who has won every club trophy except the Europa League during his time at Anfield. The German has the chance to add to his tally in Sunday's League Cup final against Chelsea – one of four trophies the club could win this season. But Lijnders, who is also leaving along with the rest of Klopp's backroom staff, said there is no point in finding someone who would be a clone of the 56-year-old, with former Liverpool midfielder and current Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso . leading candidate.
“No one can replace Jurgen Klopp. But I think the past has already shown some difficult transitions,” the Dutchman said at the pre-match press conference on Friday.
“What was the hardest transition within this club was (Bill) Shankly saying, 'That's me.' (Bob) Paisley stepped up (in 1974) and was completely different to Shanks.
“It shows that as a club we have to look for someone who wants to grow, who has the mentality to develop.”
There were concerns that Klopp's announcement in January could derail a team that leads the Premier League, faces Southampton in the FA Cup next week and is favorites for the Europa League after drawing against Sparta Prague in the last 16.
However, since then they have recorded five wins in six games and Lijnders said that was down to the mentality in the dressing room.
“A lot of these guys haven't won anything with Liverpool yet, so of course they're giving everything despite the manager saying he's leaving,” he added.
“We are stable enough to deal with it. I thought so before, but you never know. It's in the back of your mind, but I, we, trust the team enough that they can deal with it.”
“We never make it more complicated than it is and I like that. It's the next game, that's our final – and it's a final, so let's give everything on this planet to win it and give the fans joy and emotion.”
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