Speculation is starting to mount over how much longer Jurgen Klopp will remain at the helm of Liverpool in the aftermath of one of the worst nights of his reign.
The Reds were humiliated on their own soil as Real Madrid ran riot to win the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie 5-2 with a stunning second-half display that silenced the Anfield faithful. Liverpool are left needing a miracle to stand any chance of progressing to the last eight of European club football's most prestigious competition.
Combine this misery with the fact that league form has hardly been much better this season and it is not particularly hard to see where the rumours relating to Klopp's future are coming from.
Liverpool languish as low as eighth in the table, seven points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham as hopes of Champions League qualification next term begin to fade after 22 games played.
With that in mind, some sections of the Reds fanbase may be concerned about the fact that an exit clause in Klopp's Liverpool contract has once again resurfaced in light of the poor form.
The 55-year-old only penned an extension at Anfield as recently as March of last year, extending his stay until the summer of 2026. However, once that contract ends, a clause states how the Reds hierarchy will help oversee Klopp's return to Germany.
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The Reds boss has previously discussed his desire to return to his home country, where the plan has always been to take a sabbatical before mulling over a return to football management.
Comments made by former Arsenal ace and prominent pundit Paul Merson back in November feel even more appropriate now following the humbling at the hands of Los Blancos.
Four months ago, Merson told Sky Sports: "Will Klopp be thinking he's taken Liverpool as far as he can? I'm not sure, but one thing I am certain of is that it will ultimately be his decision. Liverpool have to keep him but whenever the time comes to make a decision, it will be his.
"What Klopp has done at Liverpool, winning the league after all those years, is hard work. He has worked his socks off, he kicks every ball on the touchline. Just like players, Klopp will be getting tired, and you get more tired when you are not winning games compared to when you are winning."
The German certainly cut a frustrated figure on Tuesday night and after the game admitted he harbours little hope that his side will be able to overcome the mountain that awaits them in Madrid for the second leg.
"I think Carlo [Ancelotti] thinks the tie is over - and I think it as well in the moment, but in three weeks," he conceded.
Klopp also showed more signs of ill feeling and anger brewing when he lost his cool at a reporter during his post-match presser.
Asked about Vinicius Jr's ability and Luka Modric's contract situation by Spanish journalists, Klopp snapped as he replied: "Oh god, you obviously are not too much interested in my problems, so this is not one of my problems.
"Yeah, fantastic player and I’m pretty sure Carlo and Real Madrid will do the right thing for the right player."
The Liverpool board will most likely be uneasy by how unhappy the boss looks at the moment with still plenty of football to be played but very little to be played for this term.
