Niko Kovač has reportedly emerged as a surprise contender for the Liverpool job. The Reds remain on the hunt for their next manager, with Jürgen Klopp now into the final months of his nine-year tenure.

Xabi Alonso was the early favorite but has decided to stay with Bayer Leverkusen for at least another year. Alonso guided the club to the Bundesliga title last weekend and could yet win the treble, with his side unbeaten in all competitions this term.

The likes of Roberto De Zerbi and Julian Nagelsmann have also been mooted as potential candidates but Sporting CP boss Rúben Amorim is now the frontrunner. He however reacted angrily to claims last week that a 'verbal agreement' was already in place with Liverpool.

Ex-Bayern Munich boss Kovač was also linked with the job earlier this week. The Daily Mail reported that his agent had been exploring options for a summer switch to a Premier League side, with Liverpool mentioned as a possible destination.

Kovač, who has also previously managed Eintracht Frankfurt and Monaco, is currently without a club after parting ways with Wolfsburg earlier this season. He was asked about the links to Liverpool while on 'Sport and Talk in Hangar 7' on ServusTV but brushed off the speculation.

"There's always a lot written about it, but there's nothing to it," Kovač stated, as reported by Sportkrone. The Croat is now biding his time for the right opportunity to return to management.

Kovač, 52, enjoyed success with Frankfurt and Bayern, winning the league and cup double with the German champions in 2019. He spent two years with Monaco but his time in charge of Wolfsburg did not go to plan. The former defender left last month, with Wolfsburg sitting just outside of the relegation places.