Football pundit Jan Aage Fjortoft believes Liverpool would do whatever it takes to get Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso

Former Norwegian footballer Jan Aage Fjortoft backs Liverpool to appoint Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso to succeed Jurgen Klopp. Klopp announced that he is stepping back from the managerial role due to the feeling of burnout.

The 56-year-old wants the best for the Reds and understands he lacks the energy to continue giving his all. Klopp’s early announcement has given Liverpool a chance to thoroughly assess the candidates to appoint a worthy successor.

The German is also leaving a strong squad that has the diversity, fluidity and cohesiveness to play under any tactics. Furthermore, the Reds academy has enjoyed a significant amount of development under Klopp’s supervision, producing fantastic talents.

Despite the daunting challenge of filling Klopp’s shoes, he has built a culture that benefits the next manager. Since the very beginning, Xabi has been a firm favourite among many linked names for the potential successor.

Speaking on The German Fussball Podcast (h/t YouTube), Fjortoft claimed that Liverpool would do anything to get Alonso as Klopp’s successor. He said:

“First of all, if Liverpool are desperate and put all their money on getting Xabi Alonso, I’ve got a feeling they’ll get him. Having said that. If there’s one man, if there’s one coach, who will have a good look at his development as a coach, who will have a good look to analyse the Liverpool job – because it doesn’t matter who will come after Jurgen Klopp, that will be a hell of a place to go – Xabi Alonso will do that. It’s a fair point that he’s a frontrunner. He ticks all the boxes except experience. Yes, he has been long around as a player, but make no mistake: It’s something else to coach Liverpool Football Club than Bayer Leverkusen, and I say that with the greatest of respect for Leverkusen.”

Leverkusen appointed Alonso during the 2022-23 season when the German club fell inside the relegation zone. Xabi guided the club to the Europa League qualification last season despite their poor start to the season.

This season, the 42-year-old has managed to guide Leverkusen to an unbeaten run so far as they top the Bundesliga. The German club has played a fantastic, fluid football with the combination of gegenpressing and possessional play.

Alonso has implemented a 3-4-2-1 formation that allows for reshaping into various versions while preserving a strong defensive organization. The Spaniard has displayed the tactical brilliance and knowledge he has gained from many top managers during his playing days.

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The Kopites already have a strong connection with Alonso and the majority want him as the next Liverpool manager. Despite the loss of their beloved manager, Klopp, Alonso’s appointment would be welcoming news for the faithful Reds fanbase.