JURGEN KLINSMANN is in the frame to become Liverpool boss
if Rafa Benitez gets the sack. Klinsmann is keen on returning to
Europe from California, where he now lives. And, though he turned
down Chelsea, the chance to boss the Reds holds huge appeal for the
former Tottenham striker and ex-Germany coach.
SunSport understands Kop owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks like
the wholesome profile Klinsmann has. And, though Klinsmann is very
much his own man, he would be easier to keep in line than
Benitez.
The Spaniards relations with the American pair remain fragile
the manager wants to establish transfer targets in the January
window but feels Gillett and Hicks have been dragging their heels.
But Liverpool are feeling the squeeze and it is more likely Benitez
will lose players rather than gain any.
They may not be able to turn Javier Mascheranos complicated loan
deal into a permanent transfer. And Peter Crouch could also have to
be sold without a replacement coming in. This is a critical week
for Benitez. Having been beaten 3-1 at Reading on Saturday,
Liverpool face a make-or-break Champions League game away to
Marseille tomorrow which could see them knocked out of the
competition.
The Merseysiders also host Manchester United on Sunday and Benitez
is poised to have crunch talks with his bosses over the direction
of the club. Though both sides have tried to play down the rift
between them, relations remain on a knife-edge. Klinsmann has also
been touted as a candidate for the England post a job which
interests him.
Over in the States, there is a belief he is preparing to move back
to Europe and give up the Californian sunshine. Klinsmann wanted a
break after taking Germany to the World Cup semi-finals on home
soil last year. But he is now fully refreshed. A source close to
Klinsmann said: Jurgen is ready to get involved in football again.
He loves it in California but, when you are such a big figure in
the game, you cannot stay away from it for ever.
Kop striker Crouch insists his team-mates have the character to hit
back against Marseille after losing to Reading. He said:: The
belief is still there. It was a blip against Reading. If you look
at the last few games weve played some great football, scored a
lot of goals and won games convincingly.
We have enough characters in the dressing room that can bounce
back from this and get a great result against Marseille. The
French side warmed up for tomorrows Euro clash with a 2-0 win over
Monaco. And midfielder Mathieu Valbuena, who scored the only goal
when the teams met at Anfield in October, admitted: We have to
beware of Liverpool. We caught them cold last time. We will be
vigilant.
Klinsmann looks like he is having constipation in that picture.
Only thing lacking is a toilet bowl behind him... 
