Xabi Alonso is “first on the list” to be Jurgen Klopp’s replacement as Liverpool manager this summer, according to journalist Gianluigi Longari.
Reds supporters have been left stunned by Klopp’s decision to leave at the end of the season, with few seeing it coming after only recently rebuilding his midfield.
The search is now on to find a successor to the German, and the person who has seemingly emerged as the front-runner to take charge is Alonso, who is doing a superb job as Bayer Leverkusen manager currently.
The 42-year-old has guided his side to the top of the Bundesliga table currently, leading Bayern Munich by two points with 14 matches remaining.
Taking to X, Longari provided an update on the managerial situation at Liverpool, saying Alonso remains the favourite to come in, also mentioning Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim:
“Liverpool evaluations in progress for the bench. Many candidates in the running, the first on the list of “LFC is Xabi Alonso. Among the alternatives taken into consideration by Reds the name of Ruben Amorim currently managing Sporting stands out.”
Our thoughts on Alonso being Klopp’s replacement at Liverpool…
It does feel as though Alonso is the natural choice to be the next man in the Anfield hot seat, ticking so many boxes when it comes to what the Reds are looking for.
The Spaniard is an exciting young option who is working wonders at Leverkusen, and he feels like a fresh choice to come in, rather than an older target who wouldn’t represent the long-term.
Not only that but there are also the obvious ties that Alonso has with Liverpool in the past, being a much-loved player who won the Champions League back in 2005.
He immediately embraced the club as soon as he arrived, and knows the values of the city, so it could be the most seamless transition from Klopp that the Merseysiders can hope for.
There is going to be a risk element with whoever takes charge during the summer – replacing Klopp is going to be an almost impossible task, given his legendary status – but Alonso stands out as the pick of the bunch, especially if he wins the Bundesliga title this season.
