Liverpool are reportedly confident of luring highly-rated manager Xabi Alonso away from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer as they seek a replacement for the outgoing Jurgen Klopp.
According to respected football journalist Ben Jacobs via GIVEMESPORT, Liverpool would be optimistic about tempting sought-after Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso to the Anfield dugout as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement if they make their ploy in the summer.
The news surrounding Jurgen Klopp’s imminent exit as Reds boss has dominated the headlines at Anfield of late, with few expecting to see the legendary German depart when things are looking up and so unexpectedly.
Liverpool fans will be hoping for a golden ending to the 2023–24 season that will provide Klopp with a proper send-off after many years of service at Anfield, where they are now at the top of the Premier League standings after 24 games.
Naturally, reigning treble-winners Manchester City are hot on their heels, while Arsenal are lurking ominously behind, having beaten the Reds at the Emirates Stadium at the start of February.
Replacing the 56-year-old is going to be one of the hardest jobs Liverpool have ever had to face as a club, and whoever comes in will have an extremely difficult job on their hands, not only when it comes to results but also establishing a passionate connection with the supporters.
Xabi Alonso the “obvious” candidate to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield
The outstanding candidate right now appears to be Xabi Alonso. Currently leading his side to the top of the Bundesliga table, the 42-year-old is in the spotlight for more reasons than one as he looks to end Bayern Munich’s dominance in German football, especially after that resounding 3-0 win over Bayern Munich.
Add to that the fact that he spent five years as a player with the Reds, winning the Champions League and FA Cup, and it’s clear why the Spaniard would be a popular choice to succeed Klopp.
Now, journalist Ben Jacobs has provided a positive response about whether the Bayer Leverkusen boss is the frontrunner for the top job and the chances of him taking over at Anfield in the summer.
Jacobs said to GMS: “Although there is not a frontrunner, there are clear and obvious candidates that will be under consideration. One is Xabi Alonso because of his Liverpool links and how well he is doing at Leverkusen.
“Even though there is not a formal clause that allows Alonso to leave for one of his former clubs, Leverkusen won’t stand in the way if Alonso wants to go.
“But he is building a fantastic project at Leverkusen, so it is not an absolute given that he will just run to Anfield. I think Liverpool would still be quite confident if they chose Alonso that they would stand a very realistic chance of getting him.”
Although Jacobs believes that there is no favourite to succeed Klopp at Liverpool right now, Alonso is one of several candidates for the position.
The reporter adds that he knows that there is no release clause that allows the former Real Madrid midfielder to become Anfield boss if the Reds come knocking, but there is real “optimism” that he would be keen to return to Merseyside if Leverkusen do not block his summer move.
