Liverpool FC boss Jürgen Klopp has praised Xabi Alonso for leading Bayer Leverkusen’s surge in form.
The Reds are set to face Brentford in the 25th round of the 2023-2024 English Premier League (EPL) season at the G-Tech Community Stadium in London, England, on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Recently, Liverpool’s rise has stalled. After a four-game winning streak from late December to early February last year, the Reds were on top of the table, but a 1-3 loss to Arsenal FC in Round 23 put a red flag on their mercury. Only two points separate second-place Manchester City and third-place Arsenal.
Injuries have also mounted. Mohamed Salah has recovered from a thigh muscle injury, but goalkeeper Alisson Becker has a hamstring injury, Alexander Arnold has a knee injury, and Dominic Svoslavic has a thigh injury that will keep him out of action for a while.
Brentford are in a bad mood this season. After finishing ninth in the league last season under Thomas Frank, they are currently 14th in the 2023-2024 season with 25 points from seven wins, four draws, and 12 losses. They are only six points away from 18th-place Everton, who are in the relegation zone. A win is a must in this match.
It”s a season in which Liverpool”s players are on fire. This is because it”s Jurgen Klopp”s last season in charge. Last month, Jurgen Klopp announced his intention to step down at the end of the season. “I’m not as young as I used to be. I didn”t want to know, but it came naturally. The club needs the best manager, not me. It’s the right moment.”
Liverpool reached their peak under Klopp. Klopp took over at Liverpool during the 2015-2016 season. The Reds finished in the top four of the Premier League from 2016-2017 and won the UEFA Champions League in 2018-2019. They also won the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
The 2019-2020 season was an unforgettable one. Klopp gave the fans what they had been craving: a Premier League title. It was the first Premier League title in 30 years and the 19th trophy of his career in the top flight. In addition, Klopp also won the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup.
Now, Klopp is leaving the club. Naturally, the focus is on his successor. The most likely candidate is Leverkusen manager Alonso. Leverkusen are taking the German Bundesliga by storm. They are the only unbeaten team in Europe’s top five leagues in the 2023-2024 season. With 17 wins, four draws, and 55 points, they are in first place. Bayern Munich has changed the Bundesliga game forever.
At the center of it all was Alonso. Alonso has built Leverkusen’s offense around a buildup from the back and a solid defensive tactic. This season, Leverkusen 토토사이트 have conceded the fewest goals and scored the most goals in the Bundesliga.
They have also performed well in European competition. In the UEFA Europa League group stage, they topped their group with six wins and qualified directly for the round of 16. In six games, they scored 19 goals and conceded only three. They boasted a perfect offensive and defensive balance.
Therefore, with the news of Jurgen Klopp”s resignation, attention has turned to Alonso. It”s not that he”s not a possibility. Alonso used to play for Liverpool as a player. He won four titles with the Reds between 2004 and 2009.
Klopp was asked about Alonso in his pre-match press conference against Brentford. He said: “Alonso is doing an amazing job. If you asked me eight weeks ago, I would have said this. The next generation already exists and I would say that Alonso stands out in that regard. He is exceptional.”
Klopp has indicated that he would be happy for Alonso to succeed him. All that remains is for Alonso to choose. For now, Alonso has decided to focus on Leverkusen this season. We’ll only know more at the end of the season.