Liverpool are on the hunt for a new manager to fill the void soon to be left behind by Jurgen Klopp, and Julian Nagelsmann is in their sights.
90min understands the current Germany boss, whose contract expires this summer following Euro 2024, has emerged as a potential candidate to replace Klopp, having seen his name suggested by a data-heavy search across Europe.
Throughout his career, Nagelsmann has switched between three-man defences and a traditional 4-2-3-1 setup, but regardless of how his sides line up on paper, they tend to be attack-heavy teams which depend on three solid defenders at the back.
So, how would that look at Liverpool?
- How Liverpool could line up under Julian Nagelsmann
GK: Alisson – One of the easiest decisions any manager on the planet could ever have to make, it doesn’t take a genius to choose Alisson as the starting goalkeeeper.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold – Throughout his career, Nagelsmann’s trend has been to play a right-back who is comfortable at centre-back. He’d be a fool not to tweak that at Liverpool, where Alexander-Arnold’s creativity makes him the perfect candidate for what he usually wants.
CB: Ibrahima Konate – Aside from his obvious quality, Konate is athletic enough to operate in the wider role usually handed out in Nagelsmann’s teams. The Frenchman is one of the best young defenders around and will walk into the team regardless of who is in charge.
CB: Virgil van Dijk – Like Alisson, you wouldn’t get hired by Liverpool if you thought the team looked better without Van Dijk.
LB: Goncalo Inacio – Your average Nagelsmann team has an inverted right-back – Joshua Kimmich, Benjamin Pavard, Jonathan Tah – and an attacking left-back. We’re obviously switching that because of Alexander-Arnold, so expect a left-back who is actually more of a centre-back. Reds officials have been following the left-footed Inacio for months and could do a lot worse than landing the Sporting CP star to work under Nagelsmann. For what it’s worth, Joe Gomez would be really good here.
DM: Dominik Szoboszlai – He might have a deep starting position, but don’t expect Szoboszlai to hang around at the base of midfield. Nagelsmann’s midfielders are tasked with advancing possession, so getting Szoboszlai on the ball as soon as possible could be a smart move.
DM: Alexis Mac Allister – Having proven himself to be comfortable in a deeper role, Mac Allister may be Nagelsmann’s midfield anchor. He doesn’t necessarily have to do a whole lot of defending, but like Toni Kroos or Pascal Gross, Mac Allister can help sweep things up and get the ball moving forward.
RM: Mohamed Salah – Salah has a decision to make about his future but, if he chooses to remain at Liverpool this summer, he’ll walk into whatever setup is presented. Nagelsmann would give him the freedom he needs to get into the box, with Alexander-Arnold taking winger responsibilities.
AM: Florian Wirtz – Liverpool have barely played with a typical attacking midfielder under Klopp so finding a suitable candidate for Nagelsmann would be a top priority. The Germany boss loves Jamal Musiala but a move for Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz seems more likely.
LM: Luis Diaz – With no attacking left-back, Nagelsmann needs a winger who wants to hug the touchline. In the current squad, there is no better option for that role than Diaz.
ST: Darwin Nunez – Nagelsmann has shown real variation when it comes to his preferred strikers – the silky Kai Havertz has shared minutes with towering target man Niklas Fullkrug – but Nunez would give this Liverpool side more fluidity, which is key to Nagelsmann’s vision.
What we know
- Liverpool monitoring Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann on search for new manager
- Former Bayern Munich & RB Leipzig chief previously of interest to Chelsea & Tottenham
- His preferred system would call for some big transfers at Liverpool.