Revealed: Liverpool's first-choice Xabi Alonso alternative

James Shearman

• Updated: 22 Feb 2024 17:51 GMT
• 3 min read

Sporting head coach Ruben Amorim is on Liverpool's shortlist to replace Jurgen Klopp, according to The Independent.

Klopp announced last month that he would be stepping down at the end of the 2023-34 season.

Former Liverpool midfielder and present Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso is the favourite to replace him.

However, the Spaniard has also been linked with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid after impressing so much in the Bundesliga.

As such, the Reds are having to draw up a 'plan B', which appears to be Amorim.

The 39-year-old coached the Lisbon club to the Primeira Liga title in 2019-20 and they are competing with Benfica to regain it this season.

Renowned for his communication skills and tactical flexibility, he is also on Bayern Munich and Barcelona's radar.

Xabi Alonso on Liverpool and Bayern links

Reports in Germany suggest that Alonso could be more inclined to join Bayern than Liverpool in the summer.

However, the 42-year-old would not entertain talk of his departure in his latest press conference.

"Right now I’m the Bayer Leverkusen coach, that's for sure,” he said before his team's game against Mainz tomorrow.

“I have nothing new to say for the future. We will see. It's normal that there are questions, but it's off topic now. Now is not the time for me to talk much about it."

The two-time Champions League-winning player has a contract through to 2026, which Leverkusen are optimistic he will see out. Nonetheless, links to other elite European clubs refuse to go away.