Former Liverpool midfielder and Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso is the top contender to replace Jurgen Klopp when he departs Anfield come the end of the season

Liverpool legend John Aldridge reckons Xabi Alonso would “100%” take over from Jurgen Klopp if given the opportunity.

Alonso has emerged as the early favourite for the soon-to-be vacant managerial role at Anfield after Klopp announced he’d be leaving come the end of the season. The former Reds midfielder, 42, has Bayer Leverkusen top of the Bundesliga.

Given it’s his first senior position in the dugout, there’s question marks about his suitability for the role as well as whether he’d want to leave. But Aldridge has no doubts about the latter.

Assessing the options, he told the Liverpool Echo: “I wouldn’t know where to begin. Stevie Gerrard had a great start to his managerial career but it’s not happened for him the last year or two, how he’d like, so that would probably go against him.

“Xabi Alonso has taken the world by storm in Germany, what he’s done with Leverkusen is pretty unbelievable. I know Xabi, he’s an absolutely genuine fella.

Xabi Alonso wouldn’t turn down the Liverpool job, according to John Aldridge (Image: Getty Images)

“He gets the club, he loves the club. He’s got a great feeling with the fans and it’s mutual for what he did at the club. Would he want the job? Oh yeah, I think so. 100%.

“But it’s not for me to say. He’s come out and said he doesn’t have the experience, which we know, but Kenny Dalglish didn’t have the experience when he took over.”

It’s believed Leverkusen won’t stand in Alonso’s way if he does want to return to Merseyside, where he spent five seasons as a player.

Jurgen Klopp shockingly announced his summer exit last week (Image: X/@LFC)

Reds icon John Aldridge reckons Xabi Alonso would take the Liverpool job (Image: Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Reports have claimed there’s a clause in his contract that allows him to join them, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich – the three top European sides he turned out for.

Alonso was quizzed about Klopp’s exit last week, responding: “At the moment I’m really happy here, I’m enjoying my work. Each day it’s a challenge and we are on a beautiful journey here in Leverkusen.

“To be honest, I am not in that moment to think about the next step. I am thinking about where I am right now.”