Within hours of Jürgen Klopp’s shock announcement that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, Xabi Alonso had been installed as the bookies’ favourite to take over. The former Reds midfielder has done an excellent job with Bayer Leverkusen, and has already been linked with some of the biggest jobs in Europe.
Leverkusen is currently top of the Bundesliga table after going unbeaten so far this season. The German side is on course to be the first side to pip Bayern Munich to the title since Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund back in 2012.
Alonso remains the frontrunner to replace the outgoing German but has so far distanced himself from a return to Anfield. He said last week: “At the moment I am really happy here, enjoying my work here. Each day and each game is a challenge. We are enjoying an intense but beautiful journey. I am not in a moment to think about the next thing.”
It remains to be seen if he does feature on Liverpool’s shortlist but former Reds defender Glen Johnson has warned it is a risky appointment. “I’d be a bit scared to appoint Xabi Alonso or Steven Gerrard. The next appointment is going to be really tough and I’d be worried about bringing someone in with so little experience,” Johnson told Squawka.
“Also, I think we’ve seen bringing a legend back to manage the club can often not work out. We’ve seen since Fergie left Man United, they still haven’t replaced him and we could see something similar here. These kinds of managers are extremely hard to replace, especially for someone with so little experience.
“Of course, in football timing is everything and this kind of dream job may not open up for them again so they’ll be tempted to take it, it will just be very hard to have the kind of success Klopp did.”
Johnson went on to warn that Liverpool must bring in a high-profile name to convince Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah to stay. Both players will be in the final year of their contracts next season.
He added: “I definitely think Salah and Van Dijk won’t rush into a decision as to whether they’ll stay on now because they will want to know what the plan is going forward, who the next manager will be and what Liverpool want to do in the transfer market. Liverpool have to make sure they bring someone in who will make Van Dijk and Salah want to stay.”
The ex-defender’s comments come after skipper Van Dijk was forced to clarify comments about his future. Earlier this week, the Dutchman hinted he was unsure if he would fit into the new era but has now insisted: “It’s much taken out of context. To be 100 per cent clear, I’m fully committed to the club.
“I love the club, I love the fans. It’s not about me, it’s not about I, It’s about us and nothing has changed [on his situation]. Five days ago we weren’t even speaking about my contract, so it’s silly.”
