Peter Crouch has shared his only worry about the possibility of Xabi Alonso replacing Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager.
Klopp is leaving Anfield at the end of the season after nearly a decade of high-octane football and much success, including Premier League and Champions League glory.
Replacing the German coach will not be easy, with a number linked with the job, including Ruben Amorim and Roberto De Zerbi.
But it is no secret that top of Liverpool’s shortlist is club legend Alonso who is enjoying a remarkable season at the helm of Bayer Leverkusen.
His side are top of the Bundesliga by 10 points with 10 games to go and unbeaten across all competitions this season, winning 30 of their 35 games so far, scoring 101 goals.
The legendary midfielder is the obvious choice, but Crouch fears that the Liverpool vacancy may have come too soon for the 42-year-old.
‘I think he’s the standout candidate. He’s done incredible things at Leverkusen, knows the club [Liverpool] inside out,’ the former Reds striker said on TNT Sports.
‘I’ve played with him, I know the person. He’s a fantastic person, very studious, was always asking questions and you knew he was going to be a manager.
‘But it is very early days and it’s a massive club and you’ve got to follow Jurgen Klopp. Only time will tell.’
Leverkusen is Alonso’s first senior managerial job and only joined them in 2022 after three years in charge of Real Sociedad B.
Unfortunately for the Reds, the Spanish World Cup winner is also wanted by another of his former clubs: Bayern Munich.
The German giants are also looking for a new manager with Thomas Tuchel set to depart in the summer and it is said that Alonso would prefer a move to the Allianz Arena instead of Anfield.
Crouch’s comments came ahead of Thursday’s Europa League action where Leverkusen very nearly lost their unbeaten status after shockingly finding themselves 2-0 down to Qarabag, but a 92nd minute equaliser from Patrik Schick saved their blushes.
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