Boudewijn Zenden delivers verdict on whether ex-Liverpool team-mate should succeed Jurgen Klopp

Boudewijn Zenden believes former Liverpool team-mate Xabi Alonso is not ready to succeed Jurgen Klopp.

Nobody is suggesting he is leaving anytime soon but there will be a day when the Anfield hierarchy must look beyond the talismanic German. Klopp only signed a contract extension last year, committing his future to Liverpool until 2026.

A who’s who of footballing greats will be lining up to succeed the 56-year-old when his illustrious reign comes to an end. Few, many believe, would be better suited to carrying on the mantle than ex-Red and current Bayer Leverkusen manager Alonso.

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The Spaniard has his side unbeaten after 10 league games this season - winning nine - to emerge as surprise contenders for the Bundesliga title. A 2-2 draw away to Bayern Munich is the only blemish on an otherwise perfect start to the campaign.

Alonso is impressing in his first gig as a professional manager after starting off coaching Real Madrid’s youth ranks. However, former team-mate Zenden, who started alongside the 41-year-old in the 2007 Champions League final, wants him to prove his worth further before taking the Liverpool job.

“I played with Xabi at Liverpool and I understand why people are saying he could be the solution when Klopp leaves,” he told WSM Casino. “Jurgen is doing a great job at the moment and he's here to stay for many more years.

“There's no doubt that Alonso is doing great things at Bayern Leverkusen - who aren't a small team! To compete with the likes of (Borussia) Dortmund and Bayern (Munich) isn't easy, but he's doing really well and he has a certain style of play