Liverpool Players Weigh in on Klopp's Replacement, Xabi Alonso Overlooked

According to talkSPORT duo Alan Brazil and Dean Saunders, there are reports that Liverpool players are pushing for Jurgen Klopp's assistant, Pep Lijnders, to replace him as manager instead of the current favorite, Xabi Alonso. The players reportedly want Lijnders to take over in order to minimize disruption within the squad. In January, Klopp surprised the football world by announcing his departure from Liverpool at the end of the season after almost nine years as manager. He cited exhaustion as a major factor in his decision and expressed confidence that the club is in a good position for a smooth transition to a new manager.

During a discussion on talkSPORT, Alan Brazil and Dean Saunders revealed insider information suggesting that the Liverpool players would not mind if Jurgen Klopp's assistant, Pep Lijnders, took over as the next manager. Saunders emphasized the familiarity Lijnders has with the club, stating that he knows what's going on there. The duo acknowledged the difficulty in choosing the right candidate for such a big club like Liverpool.

Lijnders initially joined Liverpool in 2014, working alongside Brendan Rodgers. When Klopp arrived in 2015, he retained Lijnders on his coaching staff. However, Lijnders left Liverpool in 2017 to manage NEC in the Netherlands. After a year, he returned to Anfield in 2018 and played a crucial role in the team's success, including winning the Champions League and Premier League titles. It remains uncertain what the future holds for Lijnders beyond this season, as current Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso is seen as the favorite to replace Klopp.

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Lijnders has also suggested he wouldn't want the top job at Liverpool, and that he will leave the club with Klopp. He said: "Nobody will replace Jurgen. I was clear, to be honest, when we had the talk a long time ago – for me it was clear and it made it easier for me.

"We knew in the summer, 'OK we are going towards the end of this project'. It's too much about me... we play in a final in 48 hours. I understand, so I think I have given answers in interviews.

"I always got offers and my heart says yes, but my loyalty to Mike [Gordon] and Jurgen said no. So we agreed to finish this project together and it is the right way to do it.

"They will find a new coach with ideas and I am excited to manage to find the right club. But until the last final of the season, I am focused on Liverpool and that is why we have agents, no?"

Xabi Alonso, a former player for Liverpool from 2004 to 2009, has been gaining attention as a potential replacement for Jurgen Klopp. Currently managing Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso has led his team to the top of the Bundesliga, holding a seven-point lead over Bayern Munich with an extra game to play. However, Bayern is also interested in Alonso as they search for a new manager following the announcement of Thomas Tuchel's departure at the end of the season.

When asked about the interest from Liverpool and Bayern Munich, Xabi Alonso has been evasive and unwilling to reveal his future plans.

"Right now I'm assuming that [I'll be Bayer Leverkusen boss next season].

"Right now I'm the coach and that's certain. Regarding the future, I have nothing new to say. We'll see. It's normal that there are questions, but this is not the right moment to talk about that."

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"Going to Liverpool is no secret," Slot remarked confidently, expressing his belief that Feyenoord and the Reds will reach an agreement.