Liverpool reportedly monitoring a manager who Steven Gerrard loves - Xabi Alonso

It's probably too soon in the day to be talking about Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp successor.

The German has proven one of the Reds' best coaches in history, having won a Champions League title and ended their 30-year Premier League drought.

And with Klopp having a contract until 2026 at Liverpool, well clearly the man himself doesn't intend on walking away anytime soon.

That being said, there are major worries at Anfield right now.

Klopp's side have just been eliminated from the FA Cup, a competition they won last season.

And they're ninth in the Premier League, 10 points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.

It's growing increasingly difficult for Klopp to get a rise out of these same Liverpool players and according to Goal.com, the club's hierarchy are 'keeping an eye' on a familiar figure.

Xabi Alonso has transformed Bayer Leverkusen this season, taking them from the relegation zone to ninth in the Bundesliga since being appointed in early November.

And according to Neil Jones of Goal, Liverpool are monitoring his progress.

Even Steven Gerrard is a massive admirer of his former teammate on Merseyside, labelling him a 'proper champion' back in 2018 [Echo].

Gerrard himself has been linked to the role, but his failure at Aston Villa means that he'll need another success in the Premier League before he's even considered.

As mentioned, Klopp probably has no plans on going anywhere just yet, but it's worth thinking ahead and Liverpool are right to be intrigued by Alonso.

In other news, Arsenal transfer news: Sky reporter issues exciting claim for Gooners