"The whispers that have leaked out": Journalist says 44-year-old "doesn't fit" Liverpool

As Liverpool continues their search for a new manager to replace Jurgen Klopp, reports suggest that Roberto De Zerbi, who had been rumoured to be in the running, may not be the right fit for the club.

Journalist Dean Jones indicates that Liverpool are considering other options, including Arne Slot from Feyenoord, and has hinted that De Zerbi may not align with the club's current needs.

While reporting on the Dutch manager being in the running to take over from Klopp, Jones mentioned that De Zerbi, in particular, is not the best fit for the Reds.

He told Give Me Sport: "Slot is a new name, but others who have been in and around the conversation and still haven’t nailed themselves to new jobs are De Zerbi and Thiago Motta.

"The whispers that have leaked out have seemed pretty clear that De Zerbi doesn’t fit at the moment.

"But once Alonso, Nagelsmann, and Amorim start to drop out of the conversation, you wonder where this could end up."

Liverpool's managerial hunt is becoming a little concerning to watch

The script on Liverpool's managerial chase was flipped when the Athletic's David Ornstein reported on Monday that Amorim is not likely to be the next manager in the Anfield hot seat.

This revelation comes as Liverpool looks to the future after Klopp announced his intention to leave at the end of the 2023/24 season.

With several high-profile candidates linked to the job, De Zerbi's potential candidacy appeared uncertain due to his managerial style or other factors yet to be disclosed.

Despite the speculation surrounding his candidacy, Dean Jones' comments suggest that Liverpool might be exploring other avenues.

Former Liverpool defender and current football pundit Jamie Carragher recently suggested that Richard Hughes, the incoming sporting director for Liverpool, had shown interest in De Zerbi during his tenure at Bournemouth, which initially seemed to place him among the favorites for the Liverpool role.

Carragher said: "Richard Hughes wanted De Zerbi at Bournemouth, so he must be the favorite if this is true. Ornstein doesn’t get much wrong, to be fair!"

Despite Carragher's remarks and De Zerbi's success at Brighton & Hove Albion, where he made a significant impact, the whispers about him not fitting Liverpool's profile indicate a shift in the club's search strategy.

While De Zerbi's attacking philosophy and success in the Premier League might appeal to Liverpool's supporters, the club's board appears to be narrowing its focus to candidates who align more closely with their long-term vision.

As Liverpool continues its search for a new manager, names such as Arne Slot and Thiago Motta remain in the conversation. With significant uncertainty surrounding the search, Liverpool's final decision will reflect the direction the club intends to take after the Klopp era.

It remains to be seen whether De Zerbi's name will re-emerge in the coming weeks or if Liverpool will pursue a different candidate to lead them into the next chapter.