Gary Lineker sends warning to next Liverpool manager after Xabi Alonso decision

Gary Lineker admits he would not want to replace Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager after Xabi Alonso outlined his intention to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.

The former Liverpool midfielder had been widely backed to return to Anfield this summer with Klopp preparing to wave goodbye. Alonso is edging closer to guiding Leverkusen to their first ever Bundesliga title this season, with his side unbeaten in all competitions.

Klopp, meanwhile, has won the lot during his reign as Liverpool manager and the ever-popular German remains in the mix for more silverware before calling it a day. However, speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker was adamant that following Klopp will be a daunting prospect for any manager - one which he would not relish himself.

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He said: "It's impossible, really, to have continued success decade after decade. It's so hard to do that.

"There was always going to be a period where things didn't quite happen for them. That happened and they then went through managers rather than giving it to the next in line.

"Ultimately, it's hard to get your recruitment right decade after decade. They have certainly done it again recently, haven't they, especially if you consider where they were when Klopp joined them.

"Even if I was interested in management, I would not want the job after Klopp. I'd want it the one after that."

Lineker added: "I think the same will happen with Pep [Guardiola] as well. It's going to be difficult for Liverpool and Man City post-eras... When you have got a personality that is so dominant at a football club, for so long, everything is