9 months ago
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Liverpool should be wary of appointing Xabi Alonso as their new manager for one reason, according to Danny Murphy.
The Reds are on the lookout for a new boss after Jurgen Klopp's shock announcement that he will leave his role as manager at the end of the season.
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One name in the frame is former Liverpool midfielder and current Bayer Leverkusen head coach Alonso.
The Spaniard, who made 210 appearances for the Reds, netting 19 goals, has taken the Bundesliga side from the bottom to the top of the German top flight.
His side is currently undefeated and five points clear of second-place and current champions Bayern Munich, whom they beat 3-0 in a top of the table clash.
Speaking on talkSPORT Drive, former Liverpool midfielder Murphy insists there is one concern over his potential appointment - much like Man United faced when Alex Ferguson left.
"I think in an ideal world, you would want a manager to come and take over from Jurgen Klopp to have a bigger body of work, even if he wins the Bundesliga.
"Like any footballer, you can have a purple patch, you can have a wonderful season, and vice versa in management.
"You want a manager coming in who has had a body of work, had success all over the place, and has every chance of doing what Klopp has done.
"Unfortunately, I don't think that candidate is out there and stands out.
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"So, what you do next, you go to the next box, which is to somebody who is potentially able to do that and has the capabilities.
"A bit like buying a good young footballer who looks like he is going to be a world beater.
Liverpool legend Didi Hamann outlines why Xabi Alonso is the perfect choice to replace Jurgen Klopp at the Reds!
"Alonso, at the moment, for what he is doing at Bayer Leverkusen, in the style in which he is doing, it looks like a super young coach with lots of qualities.
"He has a team playing for him; he's got a nice style, is easy on the eye, very articulate, calm, and has been at Liverpool before.
"He ticks a lot of boxes, but he does not tick them all.
"The problem you have is that nobody does, especially who I can think of.
"That's why I say I think Alonso is going to get the gig, and probably rightly so, in my opinion.
"Following Jurgen Klopp in any way is going to be difficult and a risk.
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"Managing Liverpool football club is very different from managing Leverkusen, because although they are a successful club, they are a much smaller club with less pressure, not even the biggest club in their own country.
"So, it's a different pressure. Though Alonso has exceeded expectations, you have to suggest he is doing something really right.
"The thing is with Liverpool now, when Klopp goes, the hole that will be left, especially in the short term, is getting the fans on board, and they absolutely loved Alonso anyway.
"So, it is not just about his age; even if he were a bit older, did not have loads of trophies, and had been doing okay for more years, I would still believe he'd be a good candidate.
"The way he conducts himself as well, he is not really the Mikel Arteta and Klopp-type jumping up and down on the touchline.
"Maybe he will be by the time he gets to Liverpool and the stress gets to him!
"But I think everything about him screams of good things, and I don't see someone else getting the job."
