Liverpool ‘make contact with Xabi Alonso’s agent’

• Liverpool supervisor Jurgen Klopp is about to stroll away from the membership this summer time
• The Reds have reached out to Xabi Alonso’s agent as they give the impression of being to switch Klopp
• Virgil van Dijk with a colossal show to win the League Cup… IAN LADYMAN names his high 5 Premier League captains on the It is All Kicking Off podcast

Liverpool have reportedly made contact with Xabi Alonso’s agent as they step up their efforts to deliver the Bayer Leverkusen supervisor to Anfield.

With Jurgen Klopp set to go away Liverpool on the finish of the season after eight-and-a-half years on the helm, consideration has turned to who might change him.

Alonso is believed to be on the high of Liverpool’s wishlist, and so they have now reached out to his agent, Inaki Ibanez, in keeping with Bild.

Leverkusen chiefs have been instantly knowledgeable of Liverpool’s strategy for Alonso, who’s beneath contract on the German membership till 2026.

It was reported final month that the Bundesliga outfit had been optimistic that Alonso would reject any supply from Liverpool, and it’s understood that they haven’t been unsettled by the newest developments and are nonetheless assured he’ll stay on the membership past this season.

The 42-year-old now appears set to face an enormous resolution on his future over whether or not to remain at Leverkusen or be a part of Liverpool.

Alonso remains to be a well-liked determine at Anfield from his 5 years on the membership as a participant between 2004 and 2009.

He gained the Champions League with the Reds in 2005, scoring within the remaining from a rebound after his penalty was saved, after which lifted the FA Cup the next 12 months.

After occurring to play for Actual Madrid and Bayern Munich, he has since moved into administration and has been a revelation at Leverkusen.

Having taken over on the membership in October 2022, he has taken them from the relegation zone to eight factors clear on the high of the Bundesliga in beneath 18 months.

Leverkusen are unbeaten in all competitions this season, and their astonishing kind has made Alonso probably the most sought-after managers in Europe.

He has additionally been linked with one other of his former golf equipment, Bayern, as they’re set to half methods with Thomas Tuchel on the finish of the season, however Liverpool look like making an early transfer within the race for Alonso’s providers.

One other key place on the Premier League membership nonetheless must be stuffed, as Liverpool are at present with no sporting director after Jorg Schmadtke departed on the finish of the January switch window.

Liverpool need to discover Schmadtke’s successor swiftly as they’re conscious in regards to the significance of sustaining continuity and an id that has served them so properly throughout Klopp’s tenure.

They reached out to their former sporting director Michael Edwards over his curiosity within the position final month, two years after he left the membership.

Edwards knowledgeable Liverpool that he does take up an identical place and politely declined their strategy, however the Reds are nonetheless hopeful that he can be satisfied to return in some capability.

They’re at present assessing the likelihood to restructure their present set-up, which might allow them to discover a extra thrilling problem for Edwards inside their group.

Edwards is believed to need extra management if he was to return to Liverpool, after overseeing a profitable interval throughout his first spell at Anfield.

He performed a key position in Liverpool’s recruitment between 2016 and 2022, because the membership signed the likes of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson earlier than profitable each main trophy out there beneath Klopp.