Liverpool supporters believe Xabi Alonso shares a similar characteristic in his management style to Jurgen Klopp.
Klopp is leaving his role as Liverpool manager at the end of the season and Alonso remains the front runner to replace him in the Anfield dugout.
The Spaniard is doing an incredible job as manager of German side Bayer Leverkusen and they remain unbeaten in all competitions this season.
Leverkusen are top of the Bundesliga table, in the last 16 of the Europa League and won through to the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal on Tuesday where they are huge favourites to lift the trophy.
The manner in which they moved through to the last four caught the eye of Liverpool fans, though, as Jonathan Tah’s stoppage time winner secured a 3-2 victory at the BayArena.
It led many fans to suggest Alonso has a special knack of inspiring his team to late winners, just like Klopp has done many times during his Liverpool tenure.
Liverpool fan Nate took to X to tweet: “Xabi Alonso’s team also has that Kloppage time winner gene in them. Bring him to La Axa.”
And another fan, Laurie, added: “That’s a third 90th minute winner in five games for Leverkusen. No one wants Klopp to go, but the thought of having Xabi Alonso managing us with this side makes me more excited by the day.”
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Xabi Alonso’s team also has that Kloppage time winner gene in them. Bring him to La Axa 🫡 pic.twitter.com/eQuipB0DNx
— 𝐋𝐅𝐂𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐞 ™️ (@SimplyNate_) February 7, 2024
Alonso’s ‘destiny’ is to manage Liverpool
Alonso is a hero in Leverkusen but it is understood there is a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ to allow him to talk to former clubs from his playing days, such as Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, if they want to appoint him as their manager.
And that led Arsenal legend and BBC Sport pundit Martin Keown to label it Alonso’s ‘destiny’ to return to Liverpool to manage his former side.
“Lots of people talked about him being the brains in midfield, particularly at Liverpool,” Keown told Football Focus.
“He’s won everything there is to win in the game and played under Pep [Guardiola], [Carlo] Ancelotti, [Jose] Mourinho, [Rafa] Benitez.
“It is all there stored and now he has his own way of working and it is quite remarkable the job he is doing. Top of the league, couple of points ahead of Bayern, unbeaten in the whole season.
“It is quite remarkable and it seems as if it is his destiny to arrive at Liverpool.”
