Ibrahima Konate reveals Liverpool squad's anxiety over manager search

Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate has admitted he and his teammates are 'apprehensive' about the club's future in the post-Jurgen Klopp era.

Klopp will stand down from his post as manager at the end of the season, bringing an end to his near-nine year spell at Anfield.

News of Klopp's departure shocked the footballing world when it was announced publicly in January, and since then Liverpool have looked formidable in their quest to send him off on a high.

Speaking to France TV Info, Konate insisted while he trusts the club to find a suitable successor to a legend like Klopp, there is an understandable nervousness from within the dressing room about getting that decision right.

"He is one of the pillars of the club," Konate said of Klopp. "I was very surprised [when he announced his exit], but when you listen to him, when you understand why he made this decision, you can only thank him.

"Liverpool is Liverpool. It was Klopp who came for me and took me to the level I am at today. It will always remain a legendary, exceptional club.

"Everyone is apprehensive, every player is aware of that. Who will be the new coach, will things go well, collectively and individually? Because tomorrow a new coach arrives but for personal reasons, he may not like us. And you can't stay at the club because you have your career, you have your pleasures.

"Afterwards, there's not really too much to worry about at that level. Liverpool will get the job done and with what I'm doing on the pitch today, there's no reason why it shouldn't work."

90min understands Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso is Liverpool's top target to replace Klopp, though he is also wanted by Bayern Munich. Brighton & Hove Albion's Roberto De Zerbi and German national team head coach Julian Nagelsmann are also prominent names on their shortlist.

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