Next Liverpool manager odds: Xabi Alonso the frontrunner after Klopp announcement

Xabi Alonso is the early favourite to succeed Jurgen Klopp among the bookmakers, after the Liverpool manager's shock announcement on Friday.

In a video statement posted by the club, Klopp revealed that he is to call time on his tenure at Anfield at the end of the 2023/24 season.

The German admitted he was 'running out of energy' in the club's official announcement, but called on fans to 'make a strength' of the news for the remainder of the season, as Liverpool compete for four trophies.

He told supporters: "Let’s now really go for it. The outside world want to use this decision, laugh about it, want to disturb us. We are Liverpool, we went through harder things together. And you went through harder things before me.

"Let’s make a strength of it. That would be really cool. Let’s squeeze everything out of this season and have another thing to smile about when we look back in the future. Thank you."

In addition to Klopp, a number of senior coaching and backroom figures, including Pep Lijnders and Jorg Schmadtke, are also set for exits.

While the focus is now signing off with the perfect ending – Liverpool remain in the hunt for four trophies this season – there is widespread speculation as to who could possibly fill the shoes of the legendary manager at Anfield.

Currently the Premier League's longest-serving manager, Klopp not only brought sustained success and trophies to Merseyside, but has formed a deep connection with the club and the local community that is all too rare in modern-day, elite-level football.

Next Liverpool manager odds

Most bookmakers have former Reds midfield maestro Xabi Alonso as the early frontrunner to take over from Klopp.

The 42-year-old – who spent four years at Anfield between 2004 and 2009 – is currently the manager of Bayer Leverkusen, who top the Bundesliga ahead of Bayern Munich at this stage of the season.

Alonso was previously linked to Real Madrid before Carlo Ancelotti agreed an extension with the club, while he reportedly has some sort of agreement with his bosses at the German club to leave should one of his former sides gets in touch.

Some bookies have the Spaniard's odds of being the next man in the dugout as short as 1/2.

Asked about Klopp's departure at a press conference on Friday, Alonso told reporters: "Speculation is normal, but for what Jürgen did in Liverpool I have great respect and admiration.

"My focus is here in Leverkusen and have big motivation and am very happy working with these players. My focus is on tomorrow but a big surprise in Liverpool.”

Meanwhile, in a poll among Anfield Watch followers on X, Alonso is seemingly far and away the fans' favourite for the role.

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi (shortest odds at time of writing: 17/2) is widely placed as the next most likely, ahead of Pep Lijnders (6/1) – whose exit announcement has apparently not ended speculation he could still take over the top job.

Behind them Julian Naglesmann (10/1), Zinedine Zidane (16/1) and Steven Gerrard (20/1) are seen as other possible candidates, while Ange Postecoglou, Thomas Frank and even a return for Brendan Rodgers are given much longer odds.