Jurgen Klopp has emphatically responded to claims he is facing the sack as Liverpool manager amid claims the club were considering the appointment of a highly-rated German as his successor.

The Reds have fallen off their usual lofty perch this season. Under Klopp, Liverpool have reached three Champions League finals, won the 2020 Premier League crown and have collected a plethora of other cups. However, this season, little has gone right.

Liverpool quickly surrendered their grip on the two domestic cups, while their place in the Champions League hangs by a thread. In fact, few will give them a chance of overturning their 5-2 deficit against reigning champions Real Madrid when they travel to the Bernabeu later this month.

More worrying still, Liverpool are also hoping for a rapid change of fortunes on the Premier League front. They currently sit seventh in the table – and nine points off the Champions League spots. Failure to qualify for Europe’s premier competition would represent their first time away from the competition since the 2015/16 season.

As such, reports have indicated that Liverpool bosses are potentially discussing a change of direction in the hotseat.

To that end, a report last week indicated that Liverpool are exploring a move to appoint Julian Nagelsmann as Klopp’s successor.

It was suggested that owners FSG potentially felt a change of direction was needed this summer after almost eight years of Klopp. And in Bayern Munich manager Nagelsmann, Liverpool reportedly saw a man who could step into the hotseat for the long-term.

Prising him away from Bayern Munich might be a tall order in itself, that said.

Nonetheless, Klopp is adamant he retains the backing of all at the club.

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Klopp sees future at Liverpool; plays down talk of sack

Klopp is also adamant that Liverpool are well prepared to handle the rebuilding work that Liverpool clearly need this summer.

“I really think we are ready,” he said. “If there is a club that can do it I really think it is us. Honestly. Because all the things we achieved these last years we achieved together, neither without the team nor without the crowd. Nothing.

Responding directly to claims Liverpool’s future may be without him, Klopp responded emphatically.

“We have a future together: the immediate future from tomorrow but there is a bigger picture as well. We will strike back in general but now we have to make sure that we squeeze everything out of this season that we can get.”

Liverpool are already making plans to strengthen their squad this summer. They will need at least two new central midfielders with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita departing.

To that end, Jude Bellingham remains a firm target, while reports lately have also indicated they are back in for Nicolo Barella.

They may also look to strengthen their defence too. Danny Murphy has suggested six players will depart Anfield this summer, with the struggling Joel Matip among them.

The Reds are being linked with Josko Gvardiol with the RB Leipzig defender a supporter of the Reds.

However, any deal for the Croatian is likely to be tricky. Gvardiol has a £98m exit clause that kicks in next summer and Leipzig will not want to sell.

READ MORE: Nine players Liverpool could let go this summer as Jurgen Klopp plans a huge squad rebuild

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