Liverpool fans think they've found their Jurgen Klopp replacement

Jurgen Klopp's future at Liverpool is more uncertain than ever before in his spell at the club, and fans may have found his eventual replacement.

As far back as August, it was being questioned whether Klopp could get over his famed 'seven year curse' at a club, having lasted that long at both Mainz and Borussia Dortmund.

And it has not been a vintage season for Liverpool at all, probably the manager's worst since arriving on Merseyside to replace Brendan Rodgers in 2015.

Having been two games short of a quadruple last season, they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Champions League early and have been off the pace in the league for most of the campaign.

Whilst the 'curse' hasn't been talked about much, it has led some to wonder if the former Dortmund boss has left what it takes to turn things around, especially without major investment in the squad.

He certainly sounded resolute when discussing his future earlier this month, claiming he was "fully here," whilst adding he didn't want to rely on his past success.

Despite that, there is no doubt that the 55-year-old is closer to the end of his time at Liverpool than the beginning and the club will one day have to plan for life without him.

Replacing him won't be easy but, following their win in the Europa League against Union Saint-Gilloise on Thursday, some have started talking up Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso.

Alonso has had a brilliant start to life as a manager. Image: Alamy

The former Liverpool midfielder started out as Real Sociedad B manager in 2019, and got them promoted up to the Segunda Division in his second season.

He left last summer, after they'd been relegated, but took over at Leverkusen back in October, with the club struggling in 16th place in the Bundesliga.

Now the club sit in sixth place in the league and are in their first European semi-final in 21 years, where he will face his former boss at Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho, as Leverkusen take on Roma for a place in the final.

Alonso won the Champions League and FA Cup in five years at Liverpool. Image: Alamy

And that amazing performance over the past few months has led to fans of his old Premier League side to claim he should be the man to eventually replace Klopp.

"Xabi Alonso is the Klopp replacement," one stated simply.

Adding more details to his idea, another added, "Xabi Alonso has to be the next Liverpool manager in 2026 when Klopp is done. No extensions no other option bring him in he will be ready especially if FSG are still here."

On the playing style, a third noted, "Bring Xabi Alonso home to Liverpool after Klopp, I'm begging. Bro got full backs pressing keepers, I'm getting nostalgic."

Discounting the German completely, another claimed, "Klopp's days at Liverpool are numbered. He's just warming the seat for Xabi Alonso."

It seems unlikely that Alonso will be moving back to Anfield in the immediate future but if he carries on like he's started then why wouldn't they look at him once Klopp has left?

Topics: Football, Fan Reactions, Bayer Leverkusen, Xabi Alonso, Liverpool, Premier League, Bundesliga, Jurgen Klopp, Europa League

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a journalist for SPORTbible with over eight years of experience. Passionate about all sports, he mainly covers football and F1 - Daniel Ricciardo once spent an entire interview referring to him as 'Ryan Gosling,' still his proudest moment.

@Sidler28