Liverpool candidate Xabi Alonso given 'overwhelming snub', according to one report

Xabi Alonso is favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool
Xabi Alonso is favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool (Image credit: Getty Images)

Liverpool are the latest club pondering how to replace one of the best managers in their history as Jurgen Klopp continues his long goodbye at Anfield. 

Replacing a modern-day legend in the dugout is never an easy task. Just ask David Moyes, who failed to see out the season when he replaced Sir Alex Ferguson as Manchester United boss. 

The German announced in January that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season, bringing to an end a nine-year stint on Merseyside that has seen the club win every domestic trophy and add a sixth Champions League gong.

Jurgen Klopp will leave Liverpool at the end of the season

Jurgen Klopp will leave Liverpool at the end of the season (Image credit: Getty Images)

Klopp will no doubt be a hard act to follow, with the favourite for the job being former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso

The 42-year-old has earned a reputation as one of Europe’s most promising coaches, with his Bayer Leverkusen side currently sitting ten points clear at the top of the Bundesliga as they look to secure a first league title in club history. 

While Alonso would likely be a popular choice among many Liverpool fans, the size of the task facing him, should he land the job has been underlined by a fan survey.

According to 75 per cent of Express readers – who have “overwhelmingly snubbed” the Leverkusen boss – Alonso would not be able to match Klopp’s trophy haul at Anfield if the Spaniard lands the Anfield job. 

Klopp has won eight major trophies with Liverpool so far, with the club looking to end the 56-tear-old’s regime on a high as they look to pip Manchester City and Arsenal to the Premier League title and are through to the quarter-finals of the Europa League, where they face Atalanta.

More Liverpool stories

Liverpool in talks with US star to become first signing post-Jurgen Klopp: report

Liverpool preparing summer move for Mohamed Salah replacement: report

“I’ll never throw my toys out the pram” Trent Alexander-Arnold opens up about his England selection situation in an exclusive interview

Joe Mewis

For more than a decade Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor, with stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others. He is the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team.

Read more
Illustration of Arne Slot by Neil Jamieson, The Sporting Press
‘If Xabi Alonso had wanted the Liverpool job, Arne Slot might still be in Rotterdam' Respected writer and Liverpool fan Tony Evans provides the inside story of the quest to replace Jurgen Klopp and the shocking factor no one expected
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti
Real Madrid pick Carlo Ancelotti's successor, with Italian to leave Bernabeu: report
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield on September 14, 2024 in Liverpool, England.
'Many of us at Liverpool expected a downfall when Jurgen Klopp left, like with Wenger, Ferguson and others. We didn’t expect to be where we are today - and that's largely thanks to Arne' Alexis Mac Allister explains his initial expectations of Arne Slot
Gary Lineker, September 2023
Liverpool need to prove Gary Lineker right after brutal comparison to Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United
Liverpool fans show their support with flags and banners prior to the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Ipswich Town FC at Anfield on January 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England
Arne Slot can win more than Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool but one thing needs to happen
Mohamed Salah is still yet to reveal whether he will stay with Liverpool beyond this season
Liverpool report: Mohamed Salah replacement identified as Arne Slot carves out his transfer plan
Latest in Stories
Alan Shearer celebrates one of his five goals for Newcastle United against Sheffield Wednesday in September 1999.
'My Premier League record won't last forever. It will go one day and when it does go, and if it's to Harry, he knows I'd be the first to congratulate him and shake his hand': Alan Shearer magnanimous when discussing biggest threat to goalscoring record
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham to sack Ange Postecoglou - with London rivals' boss lined up: report
Troy Deeney last played for Forest Green in 2023
Troy Deeney tipped for remarkable football return despite not playing since 2023
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
Premier League ball
Quiz! Can you name the players to have scored Premier League hat-tricks?
Latest in News
Alan Shearer celebrates one of his five goals for Newcastle United against Sheffield Wednesday in September 1999.
'My Premier League record won't last forever. It will go one day and when it does go, and if it's to Harry, he knows I'd be the first to congratulate him and shake his hand': Alan Shearer magnanimous when discussing biggest threat to goalscoring record
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham to sack Ange Postecoglou - with London rivals' boss lined up: report
Troy Deeney last played for Forest Green in 2023
Troy Deeney tipped for remarkable football return despite not playing since 2023
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: (L-R) Ethan Nwaneri, Raheem Sterling, Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 training and press conference at Sobha Realty Training Centre on September 30, 2024 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
England could lose Arsenal wonderkid to Nigerian national side due this little known reason
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer