Xabi Alonso gave little away when asked about potentially replacing Jurgen Klopp at Premier League giants Liverpool while insisting that he remains ‘very happy’ at Bayer Leverkusen.
And why wouldn’t he be happy?
Since taking over a team cruelly nicknamed ‘Neverkusen’ in late-2022 – a moniker bestowed upon them due to their penchant for falling at the final hurdle – Xabi Alonso has the proverbial bridesmaid’s dreaming of their day in white.
His thrilling, free-scoring Bayer Leverkusen outfit are four points clear of Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga table. They’ve won 24 and lost none of their 27 games in all competitions too, a truly stunning record which understandably saw him emerge as the name on everybody’s lips once Jurgen Klopp confirmed his impending departure from the Liverpool dugout on Friday.
Liverpool will lose Jurgen Klopp at the end of this season
HITC Football understands that Alonso – an FA Cup and Champions League winner during his spell as a player at Anfield – is the first name on Liverpool’s post-Klopp wishlist as things stand, ahead of Brighton and Hove Albion boss Roberto de Zerbi.
But, when the questions came reigning down at his pre-game press conference, the 41-year-old was unsurprisingly coy.
“I was surprised by Jurgen’s news. I have huge respect for Jurgen and Liverpool,” Alonso said in quotes broadcast on talkSPORT.
“At the moment, I am really happy here and enjoying my work. Each day and game is a challenge. We are in an intense and beautiful journey here at Leverkusen.
“Speculation is normal. I have great respect and admiration for what Jurgen has done at Liverpool in the last nine years, and how he’s done it. He has a connection with the fans, he’s done a great job. But my focus is here at Bayer Leverkusen.”
Xabi Alonso linked with Anfield return
Arguably Europe’s most exciting attacking side will look to maintain their remarkable recent form at home to an inconsistent Borussia Monchengladbach outfit on Saturday.
“I have great motivation to do a good job here,” Alonso adds. “I’m very happy with the team, with the club, with everything, so that’s my focus.
“My focus isn’t on May. It’s on tomorrow ahead of our game against Gladbach and helping my players to be ready. But what I will say is it was surprising what happened at Liverpool with Jurgen leaving.”
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