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Jamie Carragher believes Xabi Alonso is undoubtedly the leading candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
The former defender has backed his old team-mate to take over at Anfield in the summer after a successful start to his managerial career.
Jamie Carragher believes Xabi Alonso is front-runner to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool
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Alonso only took over at Leverkusen in 2022, but he quickly became regarded as one of the best youth coaches in Europe.
Leverkusen are top of the Bundesliga, four points ahead of Bayern Munich, and have not lost a match yet this season.
Alonso, who spent five years as a player at Liverpool and won the Champions League with the club in 2005, dismissed the rumors in his press conference on Friday afternoon.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Carragher insisted the Spaniard is the best option the Reds have ever seen.
He said: “Well, I think right now you look at the Premier League and you look around Europe and you think ‘who is the best fit for Liverpool?’.
“There’s no doubt that you can’t avoid my former team-mate
“Kept himself at a real level, he’s a World Cup winner, that’s just the side of his game.
“You think about the managers, they have Rafa Benitez at Liverpool, Jose Mourinho, [Carlo] Ancelotti, all these great personalities.
“At the moment, with the work he is doing at Bayer Leverkusen, he looks almost the most talented youngster in European football. There is no doubt about that.”
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi is also among the early contenders to replace Klopp.
Carragher is also an admirer of the Italian and says he and Alonso have similar qualities to Klopp.
Pundit added: “The second one I look at in the Premier League is De Zerbi at Brighton, he has done a fantastic job.
“The thing that stands out about him, that always stands out about Jurgen Klopp, is that Jurgen Klopp managed to be successful without being the biggest spender in teams.
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Xabi Alonso is favorite to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool
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“If you look at Xabi Alonso, right now he is at Bayer Leverkusen trying to compete with Bayern Munich.
“You look at what De Zerbi is doing at Brighton, competing with the other top teams in the league, who are performing really well, especially last season.”
But despite De Zerbi’s name being put forward, Carragher again reiterated his belief that Alonso is leading the way.
He continued: “But I would definitely say that at the forefront, and I don’t think I’m being too original in saying this, would definitely be Xabi Alonso.
Jurgen Klopp will step down as Liverpool boss in the summer
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“The work he is doing at Bayer Leverkusen, they are still the only undefeated team in Europe in all competitions.
“There is still a long way to go but they are in great shape in all competitions.
“I think about his playing career, what he has achieved, the managers he has had, and the time he has started his managerial career, it certainly puts him at the forefront.”
