Liverpool CEO Billy Hogan has stressed that he won't commit to a timeline when it comes to deciding Jurgen Klopp's successor.
Following Klopp's shock announcement that he will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, a number of names have been linked with the managerial position at Anfield, including Xabi Alonso.
However, Hogan stated that he won't rush into a decision over who Liverpool's next manager will be.
As reported by Liverpool's official website, Hogan said: 'I think from our perspective, I wouldn’t want to set an expectation, number one because this is a process we need to go through.
'As I said, it’s a process that we have gone through in the past, the way we operate as a football club is to ensure that we’ve looked at all the information, all the data, we’ve done our proper due diligence and then we’ll make a decision and we’ll have an announcement at that time.
'I understand the question, but I can’t commit to a timeline on it. It will go on in the background and you can be sure that we will be doing everything that we possibly can to make, as Jurgen said, the right decision for the future of this football club. That’s the way we have always operated and that’s the way we’ll operate through this process.'
Hogan also revealed his sadness at Klopp's decision to leave the club but says that he respects his choice.
The news came as a shock to many and Hogan revealed that he too was left surprised.
As reported by Liverpool's official website, Hogan said: 'Yeah, of course. But at the same time, I think he said in the video [released today] that really this is about [how] everyone sees what happens from the outside, but the amount of work and pressure... as he said, he’s been doing this [coaching] for 24 years.
'So, surprised in a sense but also I understand it. As I said, it’s obviously a sad day but it’s also one that [is] a credit to Jurgen, he’s come to the decision he wanted to give the club the opportunity to go through what will be an orderly process and that’s not easy to do if this news isn’t public.'
As well as former Liverpool midfielder Alonso, who is currently in charge of Bayer Leverkusen, other managers to have been linked with the job include Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi and Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Before he departs Klopp will want to sign off with silverware, with Liverpool still in with a chance of winning four trophies this season.
Klopp's side are currently top of the Premier League, while they are also through to the final of the Carabao Cup, in which they will face Chelsea.
Furthermore, Liverpool face Norwich City this weekend in the fourth round of the FA Cup and they have progressed to the Europa League round of 16.