Xabi Alonso's Candidacy Strengthened as Klopp's Successor, Allegedly Identifies €75m Star as First Signing

The Reds are in the market for a new manager after waving Jurgen Klopp stunned the footballing world by announcing he will quit Anfield at the end of the season, bringing the curtain down on nine glorious years on Merseyside. In that time, Klopp has won the Premier League and Champions League and will rightly be regarded as one of the best managers in their history.

Klopp has already made clear his wish to take a break from the game and return to a “normal life”, suggesting reports of him taking another role immediately after leaving Anfield look remote. To that end, talk of a move to Barcelona appear off the mark.

The search for Jurgen Klopp's successor at Liverpool is a topic of fervent discussion, with the club's owners, FSG, already well immersed in discussions about finding a suitable replacement. Having been aware of Klopp's plans since November, FSG is keeping their choice under wraps to avoid distracting the current manager and players from their ongoing pursuit of multiple trophies this season. However, reports have emerged suggesting that Liverpool has already compiled a shortlist of two candidates for the upcoming managerial vacancy.

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While several names, including Roberto De Zerbi, Ruben Amorim, Thomas Frank, Julian Nagelsmann, and Ange Postecoglou, have been mentioned as potential contenders, the prevailing name on everyone's lips appears to be that of former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso.

Xabi Alonso, the iconic former Liverpool star, undeniably fulfills the criteria for the managerial position, particularly considering his achievements in guiding Bayer Leverkusen to the summit of the Bundesliga despite budgetary constraints. With Leverkusen on track for a potentially historic first-ever Bundesliga title in their 119-year history, Alonso's success as a manager demonstrates his ability to excel even with limited resources.

Given Xabi Alonso's impressive track record and the potential fit for the Liverpool managerial position, it would be logical for FSG to have an interest in pursuing him. However, Alonso has made efforts to downplay these rumors to ensure his focus remains on leading Bayer Leverkusen towards their goals.

When recently asked about the Liverpool vacancy, Alonso responded tersely, expressing his current contentment and reluctance to consider the next step at this moment. He emphasized his satisfaction with his current role and stated that he is not concerned about what the future holds.

Despite his comments, reports from Spain assert that Alonso has given his word to Liverpool, indicating that he will engage in discussions regarding the managerial vacancy once the season concludes.

According to bold claims, Xabi Alonso has already expressed his desire to bring Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz with him to Anfield as his potential first signing for Liverpool. Wirtz, a talented German playmaker, has been in exceptional form this season and is a key factor in Bayer's Bundesliga title challenge, contributing eight goals and 11 assists in 25 appearances across all competitions.

Wirtz's performances have garnered attention from top clubs across Europe, including Manchester City, who reportedly see him as a successor to Kevin De Bruyne. The report suggests that Liverpool, taking advantage of Alonso's potential arrival, could secure a deal for Wirtz, though it would come at a hefty price of €75m (£64m).

The report does not consider the implications for Dominik Szoboszlai, who occupies a similar position, but it suggests that Wirtz is viewed as a crucial piece in Alonso's plans to begin his tenure at Anfield.

In addition, former Liverpool player John Barnes has endorsed the potential appointment of Alonso as manager. Evaluating the leading candidates, Barnes believes that Alonso, with his successful period at Liverpool as a player and his managerial achievements at Bayer Leverkusen, would be an ideal choice. He suggests that there are not many outstanding candidates, and Alonso's familiarity with the club and the fans' affection for him make him a natural fit.

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