Former Manchester United and Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was in the stands to watch Liverpool’s victory against Fulham.
Liverpool got their season back on track at Craven Cottage thanks to goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ryan Gravenberch and Diogo Jota to move level on points with league leaders Arsenal.
Jurgen Klopp has just five games remaining as manager after Liverpool crashed out of both the FA Cup and Europa League meaning the Premier League title is the only silverware still on offer for the German.
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Speculation is rife on who will replace the legendary German in the dugout next season and Mourinho being spotted in the stands sparked speculation among fans that the iconic Portuguese could make the unlikely switch.
Mourinho has been out of work since being sacked by Roma in January and reports have claimed he is eager to make a return to work in the Premier League.
The ex-Real Madrid manager has been heavily linked with Newcastle but has already made his stance clear on managing at Anfield.
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Tony Barrett, now the director of first team communications at Liverpool, wrote for JOE that Mourinho’s agent met with Liverpool prior to the arrival of Rafael Benitez to offer his services.
It’s believed his opening statement to then Liverpool chief Rick Parry was crystal clear: “José Mourinho would like to come and manage Liverpool.”
Liverpool were reportedly put off that Mourinho was stating his interest in a position that at the time was filled by Gerard Houllier and no decision on his future had been made.
Ultimately, when Liverpool decided to relieve Houllier of his services, Mourinho had already joined Chelsea meaning Benitez headed to Merseyside.
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Speaking in a new interview with The Telegraph, Mourinho noted he was not mentioned on the shortlist to replace Klopp at Liverpool before making an admission over his future.
He said: "The only thing I want is that the targets and the objectives have to be established by everyone in a fair way.
"I cannot go to a club where, because of my history, the objective is to win the title. No. The only thing I want is that it has to be fair.
"Do you think if I was at a big Premier League club and we were sixth, seventh, eighth, in the table, I still have a job? What I am saying is people [should] look at me the way they look at others. What is important for me is if the club has objectives and for me to be able to say I am ready to fight for these. I don’t want to say realistic, but [at least] semi-realistic. Because when I went to Roma nobody was dreaming about European cup finals and we did it. It’s not possible I go to a club almost relegated and the objective is to win the Champions League. It’s good but it is not fair."
Mourinho’s presence at Craven Cottage had Liverpool fans divided over the unlikely prospect of ‘The Special One’ replacing Klopp at the helm.
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One fan wrote: “We can do much worse than Mou… If our favourites are not available at the moment maybe a "short term" solution like Mourinho could fill the gap until the "right" manager is free and willing to come…”
However, another added: “I aint hearing anyone out. His defensive approach may have worked a decade ago, but right now it just aint it. We’ll become a laughing stock if he comes here.”
Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim remains the favourite to take over when Klopp departs.
Topics: Liverpool, Premier League, Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp, Chelsea, Manchester United