Jürgen Klopp endorses Liverpool target Xabi Alonso as ‘standout’ candidate

Jürgen Klopp has given a ­glowing endorsement of Xabi Alonso, the frontrunner to succeed him at ­Liverpool, describing the Bayer Leverkusen coach as the “­standout” of the next generation of leading managers.

Alonso is favourite to replace the Liverpool manager this summer having taken Leverkusen from second bottom of the Bundesliga to a five-point lead at the top in 16 months. The 42-year-old’s team are also in the German Cup semi-finals, reached the Europa League semi-finals in Alonso’s first season and comprehensively outplayed Bayern Munich in a 3-0 victory last weekend.