Liverpool-linked Xabi Alonso makes unprecedented tactical change but Bayer Leverkusen drop points to Bayern Munich

Xabi Alonso made a tactical change that was shocking enough to halt the Liverpool questions for at least a few minutes.

The Bayer Leverkusen manager shook things up against Borussia Monchengladbach, but it ended up being a side note in a 0-0 draw.

The runaway favourite to manage at Anfield next season after Jurgen Klopp revealed he would be stepping away, Alonso may have had some extra viewers from Merseyside for his latest Bundesliga escapade.

Ahead of kick off, another unconvincing Bayern Munich performance still saw three points and Leverkusen’s league lead cut.

The Spanish manager, though, quickly made headlines, dropping his season-long goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky and handing a debut to Matej Kovar, who was signed in the summer for Manchester United.

The Czech impressed on the few occasions he was called into action, but in reality he didn’t have too much to do as Leverkusen tallied 27 shots to Gladbach’s four.

It was a night of hard work and little reward, with Alonso’s fullback-focused system seeing Leverkusen’s best chances fall to Jeremie Frimpong who failed to make the away side pay.

That leaves them now just two points ahead of Bayern, and Alonso with a potential distraction - his English love.

The 42-year-old rookie coach already dismissed questions about Liverpool in his Friday press conference, and on Saturday he added: “My focus is not on May, but on Gladbach.”

CEO Fernando Carro was slightly more stressed, though, admitting he thought his problems might have been over after Carlo Ancelotti re-signed at Real Madrid.

“Now the speculation is starting all over again,” he said.

"Xabi himself said in the press conference that he feels comfortable here and is in the right place. He gets all the support from the club. He is happy and he is focused on the now.”

Sky Germany have reaffirmed their report that Alonso has a release clause for his former clubs Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, and while the timing may be perfect for the Reds, Leverkusen fans are already reeling.