Liverpool could plot Xabi Alonso and Bayer Leverkusen raid of Florian Wirtz and four stars
Xabi Alonso and Liverpool are a combination of words that have continued to gather momentum since Jurgen Klopp announced that he would step down at the end of the season, last month. The Spaniard is the rumoured front-runner to succeed the German as Reds boss, rekindling with the Anfield faithful for the first time since 2009.
The 42-year-old has been championed as the next tactician in the L4 hot seat - winning the Champions League and FA Cup in 2005 and 2006, respectively. A vanity project it is not, however, Alonso has shown his capabilities in the dugout after transforming Leverkusen from facing the threat of relegation to being five points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.
For the first time in nine years, the Reds are facing change with the impending departure of Klopp, as well as the search for a new sporting director. West Ham United technical director Tim Steidten has been mooted as Jorg Schmadtke's replacement, following his exit in January, and the 44-year-old chief has spoken about the Anfield links this week.
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Theoretically, their experience of working together in Leverkusen - prior to Steidten's switch to the Premier League in the summer - is a match made in heaven for what is opening up on Merseyside having worked together with Die Werkself.
As it stands, the focus for Alonso is on looking to end Bayern Munich's dynasty at the top of German football. Liverpool, meanwhile, have a Carabao Cup final scheduled for the end of February as well as their respective; Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup battle. With plenty of football still to be played, the
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