Xabi Alonso speaks out on Liverpool job following Jurgen Klopp announcement

Xabi Alonso has insisted that he's not thinking about his future amid suggestions that he could be lined up to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

Klopp announced his surprise decision to leave the Reds come the end of the season on Friday morning, the 56-year-old attributing his choice to a lack of energy and motivation to go "again and again and again" as Liverpool boss.

The German even claimed that he may not take another job in management and reports suggest he will spend a minimum of a year out of the game.

The news has understandably shocked Liverpool supporters, but the club's fanbase is unanimous in their opinion over who should replace the legendary coach in the Anfield dugout.

The man tipped to succeed Klopp is former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso, who is currently working wonders at Bayer Leverkusen. The Spaniard is unbeaten with the Bundesliga side this season and his team currently lead the table by four points.

Speaking before Leverkusen's weekend clash with Borussia Monchengladbach, Alonso was unsurprisingly quizzed about Klopp's departure and the possibility of him replacing the current Liverpool boss.

"Speculation is normal but for what Jurgen did in Liverpool I have great respect and admiration," said the 42-year-old. "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."

He added: "We are in an intense but beautiful journey and I’m trying to give my best. I am not in that moment to think about the next job. I am in the right place now. What’s going to happen in the future I don’t really know and don’t really care at the moment."

Past reports claim that Xabi Alonso has a clause in his current Leverkusen contract that allows him to leave the club in order to join three of his former teams - Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Liverpool.

Liverpool would be a dream destination for Alonso, who admitted that he would love to manage his former side during an interview back in 2018.

"Of course I dream of coaching Liverpool one day but before that I have to prove myself. My connection, my commitment and my passion for the club is undeniable," said Alonso.

With Carlo Ancelotti having signed a new deal with Real Madrid recently, Liverpool's only competition for Alonso's signature would seemingly be Bayern, with the German champions currently going through a difficult spell under Thomas Tuchel.

However, there are no guarantees that Alonso would choose Liverpool come the end of the season, or that the Spaniard is the Reds' first-choice candidate.