Jamie Carragher points out one key reason why Xabi Alonso is perfect fit for Liverpool

Jamie Carragher reckons Xabi Alonso is the “perfect fit” for Liverpool as the Reds continue their search for Jurgen Klopp’s successor. 

The German announced in January his decision to step down from his role as Liverpool manager at the end of the season, sparking immediate speculation over who could come in to replace him. 

Xabi Alonso, 42, is well known to Liverpool fans having won the Champions League and the FA Cup among other honours during his playing days on Merseyside and is carving out an impressive career as a manager. 

The Spanish World Cup-winning former midfielder was thrust straight to the top of the successor list with other candidates such as Ruben Amorim of Sporting Lisbon and Brighton’s Roberto de Zerbi further down. 

His Bayer Leverkusen side are top of the Bundesliga by a five-point margin, having won 17 and drawn four of their 21 league matches this season. 

At the weekend, the Werkself downed title contenders Bayern Munich, seeking a 12th German title in a row, in a three-goal hammering at the BayArena. 

It was a sit-up-and-take-notice performance from Leverkusen, which has ultimately convinced Carragher of Alonso’s Anfield credentials. 

The former Red played alongside Alonso at Anfield and regards his former team-mate as the “brightest young thing” in management.

“For Bayer Leverkusen to be top of anything is pretty special,” Carragher said on Sky Sports Monday Night Football. “When you think of the squad they've got and the money that's being spent.” 

The pundit then cited Leverkusen’s average number of passes per game this season as a reason why he’d excel on a return to the Reds and pointed out the similarities between Alonso and another high-profile Spanish manager. 

“When you ask if this is the perfect fit for Liverpool, what stands out for me are the number of passes and the amount that are short,” he said. “So far, 646 of their 683 have been short. It comes to 95 per cent which is probably not what Liverpool are right now under Klopp. 

“It's more reminiscent of what we see from a Pep Guardiola team. Bayer Leverkusen alongside Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain [in Europe's top five leagues].  

“From the company Leverkusen are keeping, we can say that Alonso's own influence is more like Pep Guardiola, which makes sense as he's been his manager.”

Klopp shocked the world when he announced his intentions to leave Anfield after nine trophy-laden years in charge, a spell which has seen him win every major club honour in the game. 

While his contract extended until 2026, he has chosen this year to step off. And that, believes Carragher, makes it the perfect time to recruit former Real Madrid man Alonso. 

“If Xabi Alonso was to become the Liverpool manager, which I think he will, I feel they are quite fortunate given that Jurgen Klopp has chosen this moment to move on,” he said.

“The timing for Alonso to step in is pretty perfect given the job he's doing. There is no doubt that right now he's looking like the brightest young thing as a manager.”

Alonso is under contract in Germany until 2026 and the club remain confident he will rebuff any attempt to lure him away from Leverkusen and instead commit to honouring his current deal. It remains to be seen whether the attraction of Anfield will be enough to sway him should the Reds decide to strike.