Xabi Alonso has already dropped Liverpool hint he could replace Jurgen Klopp

Xabi Alonso has already admitted that it would be his dream to become Liverpool manager.

The former midfielder built a strong connection to the Reds during his five-year stint at Anfield. Alonso started in both finals as Liverpool won the Champions League and FA Cup under Rafa Benitez before leaving the club in 2009. His subsequent spells at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich firmly established him as one of the best midfield players in world football.

After hanging up his boots, Alonso began coaching Real Madrid’s youth side and Real Sociedad B before becoming Bayer Leverkusen manager. His Leverkusen side are currently top of the Bundesliga. However, Alonso had a clear goal in mind at the start of his coaching career.

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Speaking to talkSPORT in 2018, Alonso was asked about the possibility of becoming Liverpool boss in the future: "Yes for sure, I have dreamt of that, but first I have to prove myself and prepare.

"If I decide somewhere along the way to take my chances as a manager, my link, my commitment, my passion with Liverpool is there. Why not? We will see if we can cross paths in our ways," he added.

Alonso has emerged as one of the early favourites among bookmakers to replace Jurgen Klopp as manager. The Reds announced that Klopp intends to step down at the end of the season, bringing an end to his eight-and-a-half-year tenure at Anfield.

However, in the same talkSPORT interview, Alonso suggested that his former midfield partner Steven Gerrard would be next in line to replace Klopp. At the time, Gerrard was working with Liverpool’s academy.

"I think that Stevie will go earlier than me for