Steve McManaman, in an exclusive interview, states that Jurgen Klopp is on par with the legendary Liverpool figures, while Xabi Alonso has now emerged as the foremost name among them.

Steve McManaman, the former Liverpool midfielder turned sports pundit, believes that Jurgen Klopp will go down in history as one of the greatest managers in the club’s history. In an exclusive interview with TNT Sports, McManaman expressed his shock at the news of Klopp’s departure and acknowledged that there is never a right time for such an announcement.

McManaman also pointed out the timing of the announcement, which came just days after Liverpool’s successful trip to Wembley and their strong position in four competitions. He suggested that this may have softened the blow for fans, but stressed that Klopp’s impact on the club cannot be underestimated.

When discussing Klopp’s place among Liverpool’s managerial greats, McManaman drew comparisons to Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, and Kenny Dalglish. He noted that each manager had their own unique style and success, but highlighted Klopp’s charisma and passion, which have endeared him to the fans in a similar way to Shankly.

Shifting his focus to potential replacements, McManaman spoke highly of Xabi Alonso, who is currently managing Bayer Leverkusen. He acknowledged that Alonso’s connection to Liverpool, as well as his success in Germany, would make him a top candidate for the job. However, McManaman also recognized that prying Alonso away from Leverkusen may prove difficult, given his recent achievements and desire to see his current project through.

In conclusion, McManaman emphasized that Liverpool will have a thorough process in place to find Klopp’s successor. He mentioned the existence of a list of potential managers, with Alonso potentially being a frontrunner, but also noted that other candidates from across Europe and the world will be considered.