Liverpool have been told why Xabi Alonso is the "perfect fit" to replace the departing Jurgen Klopp
Bayer Leverkusen boss Alonso has emerged as the strong favourite to replace Klopp
Alonso has transformed Leverkusen from relegation strugglers to five points clear at the top of the Bundesliga
former Liverpool team-mate Bolo Zenden is convinced the Spaniard is ready-made for a move to Liverpool
Zenden
"What he's doing at the moment at Bayer Leverkusen, is what's setting him apart from everyone else in the running right now,"
"To be able not only to challenge Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga but to absolutely batter Bayern both in their recent game, and in the league, is so impressive."
"There are certain traits in Xabi's team which you can clearly identify: they are dominant and they play possession-based, front-foot football.
"And when you say these kind of things, who else do you associate them with? Liverpool.
"For that reason, you would think Xabi would be a perfect fit for Liverpool. That move would not surprise me at all.
"It doesn't surprise me that he's gone into management. I had the same question regarding Pep Guardiola, who I played alongside at Barcelona.
"Did I expect him to be so successful? Well, I could tell he was someone who would always fit into the world of management. It's the same with Xavi at Barcelona, and even Steven Gerrard.
"They're the same kind of players; none of them have surprised me, but obviously no one can predict just how successful they'd go on to be."
Zenden added
"If I could sum Xabi up in one word it would probably be 'intelligent',"
"He was such a clever guy, he was calm and down to earth. He was the guy who making things happen from the middle, accelerating the game or slowing it down.
"A player who is capable of scoring from his own half isn't just showing his technical ability, he's showing he's clever enough to notice there's a goalkeeper standing too far off his line.
"He's a clever guy who knows what it takes to be successful at the top of the game. I hope I'm not being too positive here, but he's a really good guy and I enjoyed playing with him, working with him and being around him.
"I wish him all the best, wherever he is or ends up."
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