'I am sure, I know him' - Xabi Alonso has Liverpool 'dream' as Liverpool speculation grows

Ex-Manchester United and Bayern midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger reckons Xabi Alonso's dream is to manage Liverpool. "I know him, and I am sure his dream is to coach Liverpool," Schweinsteiger said on German telly this week.

Alonso has been tipped to replace Jurgen Klopp, who announced last month that he will leave the Reds in the summer. The Spaniard has done an impressive job at Bayer Leverkusen and hopes to guide them to the Bundesliga title this season for the first time in the club's history.

However, Alonso has publicly played down rumours of him taking over from Klopp at the end of the season. Meanwhile, it was reported on Tuesday that Alonso is 'happy' in Leverkusen and focused on winning the title. Leverkusen are currently unbeaten in 31 matches in all competitions.

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While Alonso has been keen to avoid speaking about the possibility of him becoming the next Liverpool boss, talk is only going to heighten in the coming months. And former team-mate Schweinsteiger has shared inside knowledge on Alonso and he thinks the Leverkusen boss will leave the club this summer. "I am sure he will leave Leverkusen in the summer."

Klopp has transformed Liverpool since his arrival, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. He's got another chance to win a trophy when his team plays Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final soon.

Alonso's team, Leverkusen, are coming off a statement 3-0 win over Bayern Munich, leaving them five points ahead at the top of the Bundesliga standings with 13 games left.

Last month, Alonso talked about the Liverpool job.