Granit Xhaka insists Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen will ‘enjoy’ Xabi Alonso for as long as they can as Jurgen Klopp confirms his shock departure from Premier League giants Liverpool.
To think, had things not gone so disastrously for Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa, it may have been another iconic Liverpool midfielder on everybody’s lips today, Jurgen Klopp confirming his intention to walk away from Anfield at the end of the season.
While Gerrard’s reputation continues to diminish over in Saudi Arabia, however, Xabi Alonso’s status as one of the finest young coaches in European football is blossoming almost by the week. Leverkusen – or ‘Neverkusen’ as they are known, given their penchant for falling at the final hurdle – have never won the Bundesliga in their history.
Four points clear of Bayern Munich and unbeaten after 18 matches this term, that could soon change.
Liverpool eye Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso
Speculation over Alonso’s future is bound to ramp up in the coming weeks, however. Especially with HITC Football having been informed that Alonso – scorer in the 2005 Champions League victory over AC Milan – is currently the leading candidate to take Klopp’s place.
And Leverkusen’s ex-Arsenal captain Xhaka accepts that ‘the day will come’ when the 41-year-old Spaniard looks to make the step up to one of Europe’s bonafide A-lisst clubs.
“As long as he’s here, we’ll enjoy him,” Xhaka told Sky Germany shortly before Klopp released a statement which sent shivers down the spine of English football.
“The day will come when he might want to move on. But that’s normal in football.
“I don’t have the feeling, at the moment, that (Alonso’s) mind is elsewhere. We see it every day. he runs almost more than we do in training! He gives us that hunger that he has, that feeling of wanting to win.
“And, of course, we try to give that back to him.”
Jurgen Klopp confirms Anfield exit
HITC understands that Roberto de Zerbi – who has made such an impression at Brighton and Hove Albion – is another who has admirers at Anfield.
Liverpool also confirmed on Friday that sporting director Jorg Schmadtke will leave at the end of the January transfer window.
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