How Xabi Alonso salary compares to Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp

Xabi Alonso is a name that is unlikely to go away in the next few months. 

The former Liverpool midfielder is currently working wonders at Bayer Leverkusen and is the number one candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp in the Anfield dugout come the end of the season.

While Klopp's decision to call time on his glorious Liverpool career was an unpleasant surprise, his departure will be more palatable for supporters should Xabi Alonso succeed him.

The Spaniard and his Leverkusen side are still unbeaten in all competitions this season and currently sit five points ahead of title rivals Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga table.

Not only have results been sensational, performances have been relentlessly fantastic, and Die Werkself will be desperate to keep hold of their prized asset beyond this season.

However, Liverpool will be a tantalising proposition for Alonso given his love for the club, and it could even prove a cost-effective switch for the Reds this summer.

XABI ALONSO'S BAYER LEVERKUSEN SALARY

Leverkusen were so satisfied with Alonso's work during his first season at the BayArena that they tied him down to a new deal last summer.

According to Bild (via Bulinews), the World Cup-winning midfielder was handed a pay rise upon extending his contract, taking his earnings up to €6m (£5.1m) per year.

That translates to approximately £98,000-a-week, making him the second-highest earning coach in the Bundesliga behind Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel (£192,000-a-week).

While salary reports can often be changeable depending on the source, that would put Alonso in the top ten earning managers in world football.

£98,000-a-week would also be Alonso's base salary and would exclude any income produced by advertising, partnerships and business ventures.

HOW XABI ALONSO'S SALARY COMPARES TO JURGEN KLOPP

Unsurprisingly given the longevity of Klopp's success, the fact that he signed a new deal two years ago and the financial muscle of Liverpool in comparison to Leverkusen, the Reds boss earns significantly more than Alonso at present.

In fact, recent reports have suggested that Klopp's current deal earns him a fixed salary of €24m (£20.5m) per year, while he is also guaranteed a further £22m in advertising income.

When simply comparing flat weekly salaries, Klopp brings home approximately £395,000 every seven days - a little over four times as much as Alonso earns.

That could offer Fenway Sports Group a significant saving, although Alonso would certainly receive a huge pay rise if he were to join Liverpool in the summer.

However, even if Alonso doubled his Leverkusen wage at Anfield, it would still free up funds in the club's wage budget.

While Alonso's return to Merseyside is far from guaranteed, especially given recent claims from Leverkusen's sporting director Simon Rolfes, he remains the main candidate for Liverpool moving forward.