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      Liverpool player ratings: Virgil van Dijk leads by example with Carabao Cup final winner as Konate off the pace

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      CAPTAIN, leader, legend. That is how Liverpool fans must feel about Virgil van Dijk after he won the Carabao Cup final by heading home the winner against Chelsea.
      Liverpool lifted the 2024 Carabao CupCredit: Getty
      Virgil van Dijk nodded home the winner for Liverpool and led by exampleCredit: Getty
      Here’s how the teams fared on paper
      Jurgen Klopp has got his farewell parade off in style with Liverpool’s 10th League Cup win.
      Like the 2022 final between the two sides, the game somehow ended 0-0 after 90 minutes.
      However, moments before the final whistle of extra time which would have sent the teams to another penalty shootout, Van Dijk rose highest to nod home a winner.
      See how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated the Reds.
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      Caoimhin Kelleher – 8
      Caoimhin Kelleher made some remarkable saves to help Liverpool get the winCredit: AFP

      Alisson’s deputy performed well in the injured Brazilian’s absence, most notably when he denied Cole Palmer from point blank-range on 21 minutes.
      Coolly prevented Conor Gallagher from scoring with five minutes to go when the Chelsea man had been sent clean through, and then Palmer and Christopher Nkunku in stoppage time.
      Conor Bradley – 7
      Another eye-catching display from the youngster, who started the game as a hybrid right-back and then moved to right wing when Ryan Gravenberch went off.
      Had a decent effort blocked by Levi Colwill on half-time – but was booked for his role in a shoving match with Ben Chilwell.
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      Ibrahima Konate – 6
      Nicolas Jackson may have his critics but his jet-heeled pace left Konate on his heels for what had looked like the opener when the Chelsea striker squared for Raheem Sterling, only for the offside flag to bail the Reds out.
      Booked.
      Virgil van Dijk – 9
      Van Dijk was our Man of the MatchCredit: Getty

      The relative old-timer among all the kids came up trumps with two minutes of extra time to go, heading home Kostas Tsimikas’ corner.
      The Dutchman thought he had done it an hour earlier when heading in Andy Robertson’s free-kick, only to see it ruled out via one of the rarer VAR decisions as blocker Wataru Endo was deemed offside. Led his young team with authority and was a worthy match winner.
      Andy Robertson – 8
      Trent Alexander-Arnold’s creativity has been the talk of the Liverpool full-backs this season – but Robertson still has a great delivery in his locker.
      Cody Gakpo hit the post from his cross in the first half, before Van Dijk’s Robertson-assisted goal was ruled out after the break. Also made an excellent intervention to nip in front of Gallagher.
      Van Dijk AND Sterling have goals RULED OUT by VAR in frantic final
      Ryan Gravenberch – 6
      The Dutchman’s game was ended midway through the first half when former Liverpool target Moises Caicedo trod on his ankle.
      Gravenberch went off on a stretcher, becoming the Reds’ 11th injury victim, yet a foul was not even given – much to Klopp’s fury.
      Wataru Endo – 7
      Energetic game from the Japan star, which included putting his body on the line to deny Jackson on the rebound after Kelleher had repelled Palmer.
      Was the unfortunate man deemed to be offside and blocking Colwill for Van Dijk’s disallowed goal.
      Alexis Mac Allister – 7
      His pressing set the tone for Klopp’s men and was not afraid to go in hard.
      Stung Djordje Petrovic’s fingertips with an early blast from range. Booked.
      Harvey Elliott – 6
      Moved from right wing to centre-midfield after Gravenberch came off and then back to right wing as the game went the distance.
      Had a volley beaten away after the break and then fired another into the side netting in extra time. 6
      Cody Gakpo – 7
      Came so close to an opener when heading Robertson’s cross against the foot of the post on 34 minutes.
      If that was unlucky, he should have done better when he skied a shot inside the box in the last 20.
      Luis Diaz – 7
      Luis Diaz was a livewire on the left wing
      A livewire on Liverpool’s left, he had a looping header and fierce drive saved by Petrovic early on.
      His clever movement caused Chelsea problems but the Colombian was less influential after the break.
      Subs:
      Joe Gomez (on for Gravenberch, 27) – 7
      Feared for a second old England rival Raheem Sterling had beaten him for a Chelsea opener but the offside flag came to the rescue.
      Was sent into early action when Gravenberch went down injured. Booked.
      Bobby Clark (on for Bradley, 72) – 7
      Lee Clark’s boy slotted in to the right of the midfield three and did not look out of place as Liverpool’s kids performed admirably on the big stage.
      Kostas Tsimikas (on for Robertson, 87) – 7
      Took on corner duties after being introduced, and supplied the set-piece for Van Dijk’s late winner.
      James McConnell (on for Mac Allister, 87) – 7
      Came on late for his seventh appearance, and by far his most high profile. Booked for pulling back Palmer.
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      Jayden Danns (on for Gakpo, 87) – 7
      Jayden Danns and Bobby Clark impressed off the bench for LiverpoolCredit: Reuters
      The son of former Crystal Palace midfielder Neil Danns, he almost netted in extra-time with a header which Petrovic had to tip over smartly.
      Jarell Quansah (on for Konate, 106) – 7
      Liverpool’s bonus extra-time sub, he instantly sold Nkunku a dummy after being introduced. More

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      Liverpool ‘identify TWO candidates to replace Jurgen Klopp if they fail in Xabi Alonso bid including ex-Chelsea target’

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      LIVERPOOL have identified two other managerial candidates if they fail to land Xabi Alonso, reports suggest.Reds manager Jurgen Klopp rocked the Kop when he announced he would be leaving the club at the end of season.
      Liverpool are looking for Jurgen Klopp’s successorCredit: Getty
      Xabi Alonso is believed to be Liverpool’s first choiceCredit: Rex
      Heads immediately turned towards who could replace the German who has held the reigns since 2015.
      Former Liverpool midfielder and Bayer Leverkusen manager Alonso has been tipped by many to be Klopp’s successor.
      However, with the 42-year-old guiding his Bayer team to a record-breaking 33 games without defeat and eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich have now expressed their own interest.
      And should the Spaniard opt to snub an Anfield return this summer, Liverpool chiefs have already identified two alternative candidates.
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      As reported by The Telegraph, the Reds will move for Julian Nagelsmann and Ruben Amorim as potential alternatives.
      Former Bayern manager Nagelsmann, 36, has a contract with the German national team running until the end of the summers European Championships.
      Nagelsmann experienced an abrupt end to his time in Bavaria towards the back end of last season, but he remains a highly-rated coach.
      He has flirted with the possibility of managing a Premier League side with Chelsea, but pulled out of negotiations before the club eventually appointed Mauricio Pochettino.
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      The report adds Nagelsmann performs well against Liverpool’s testing model for managers, which measures the value added by a manager to a squad in terms of fees and wages spent.
      Sporting Lisbon boss Amorim has a contract running for another two seasons after this summer, meaning Liverpool would need to pay compensation to the Portuguese outfit.
      Jurgen Klopp confirms FIVE stars are ruled out for Carabao Cup final with Chelsea as Liverpool injury crisis worsens
      At the age of 39 Amorim is touted as one of Europe’s brightest young coaches, with Sporting neck and neck with Benfica in the Portuguese league’s title race.
      Amorim also scores well against Liverpool’s managerial criteria.
      Klopp is looking to get his Liverpool farewell tour underway in style by winning the Carabao Cup against Chelsea tomorrow.
      Liverpool have identified Julian Nagelsmann as one alternative optionCredit: Rex
      Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim is another candidateCredit: Alamy More

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      How Chelsea’s midfield is coming good right on time for Carabao Cup final after summer transfer tussle with Liverpool

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      LIVERPOOL seemed to be the clear winners in their midfield battle with Chelsea.But the long list of Kop crocks gives the Blues’ £100m men the chance to have the last laugh in the Carabao Cup Final.
      Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez: brothers in arms in the Chelsea midfieldCredit: Getty
      Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, both individually and as a partnership, are finally threatening to live up to their massive fees.
      Liverpool’s two-for-the-price-of-one approach has paid dividends to date, with £60m Dominik Szoboszlai and £40m Alexis Mac Allister underpinning their fine first half of the season.
      But with Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones among the Reds stars ruled out of Sunday’s showpiece, it is Mauricio Pochettino’s side who look the stronger.
      Caicedo’s early struggles at Stamford Bridge made it look like Liverpool had had a lucky escape when the Ecuador international rejected them (as did fellow Blues signing Romeo Lavia).
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      Szoboszlai, on the other hand, hit the ground running, confidently taking on Steven Gerrard’s old No 8 shirt and giving all-action displays shot through with top-drawer technique.
      And of the two Argentinian World Cup winners who made big Premier League moves in 2023, Mac Allister was by far the more impressive.
      The Reds’ new signing arrived at Anfield with two and half seasons of Premier League experience behind him and it showed.
      In comparison, Fernandez looked like a little boy lost at times, having only arrived at Benfica in the summer of 2022 ahead of his sensational move to Chelsea the following January..
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      Both he and Caicedo, Mac Allister’s former Brighton team-mate, showed flashes of their quality. But not consistently and rarely in the same game, which made it difficult for Chelsea to impose themselves.
      The pair suffered so much abuse after the 4-1 league defeat at Liverpool last month that they came off social media. Which was probably for the best, as an even more embarrassing defeat, 4-2 at home to Wolves, followed.
      Meet the WAGs of Chelsea and Liverpool, from a model to a friend of Messi’s wife
      But the FA Cup Fourth Round replay win at Aston Villa felt like a turning point – although Pochettino’s revamped side had already witnessed a few false dawns.
      Against a high-flying Villa side, Caicedo and Fernandez bossed the game and made their opponents’ much-praised midfield look very ordinary indeed.
      Fernandez stole the headlines with the brilliant third goal he scored from a free kick.

      Caicedo, though, was just as impressive, though, in a less eye-catching way.
      The bad old days seemed to have returned immediately in the first half against Crystal Palace, and Chelsea were arguably fortunate to come away with a 3-1 win.
      Manchester City will claim the Blues were lucky to escape with a point from the Etihad last weekend.
      But there was a new steel about Pochettino’s team against the champions. Caicedo was guilty of a clumsy foul but Fernandez gave an outstanding performance that suggested his struggles were finally behind him.
      Conor Gallagher has been in excellent form despite doubts over his Chelsea futureCredit: Alamy

      A word here for a Chelsea midfielder not signed for big money.
      The Blues resisted the temptation to cash in on homegrown Conor Gallagher in January and he has continued to reward them.
      Gallagher’s availability for the first major final of the season, while Liverpool Academy graduate Jones sits it out, may prove crucial.
      Pochettino should have all three of his first-choice central midfielders available, while Reds boss Jurgen Klopp will have just one.
      And even Mac Allister has looked vulnerable at times this season when he has not had the athleticism of Szoboszlai and/or Jones alongside him.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      A trio of Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch and Mac Allister is weaker than Caicedo-Fernandez-Gallagher.
      Sunday is the perfect opportunity for the £100m men to answer their critics by giving Chelsea’s big-spending owners something shiny to show for their investment. More

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      Troy Deeney: Liverpool fans should make the most of this Wembley trip… finals will be a lot rarer when Klopp leaves

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      FOR everyone involved with Liverpool this is probably as good as it will get for some time — and I think they all know it.Next season the Reds will be without Jurgen Klopp and they could be without Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk too.
      Matching the golden era under Jurgen Klopp will be so toughCredit: PA
      Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk have also been pivotal for LiverpoolCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Trying to replace Salah will be like replacing three players. Meanwhile Van Dijk is not just one of the best central defenders in the world but an outstanding leader, too.
      With just a year left on his contract, Van Dijk could be off and he will be almost impossible to replace.
      I don’t think Liverpool will be able to tempt Xabi Alonso to Anfield either.
      Alonso has a choice of Bayern Munich or Liverpool and I reckon he will choose Bayern because he will have greater financial clout there and will not face such a major rebuild.
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      Liverpool don’t have the money or pulling power to attract the very best in the world. Klopp wanted Jude Bellingham last summer but didn’t get him.
      That kind of thing might be one reason why Klopp has decided to call it a day this season.
      It must be exhausting trying to compete with Manchester City year in, year out when you don’t have the same level of finances.
      It was the same for Klopp when he was Borussia Dortmund boss, trying to compete with Bayern. You can only keep trying for so long.
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      Still, it feels as though Klopp’s announcement that he will be leaving at the end of the season is having a galvanising effect.
      The amount of injuries they have suffered recently is phenomenal and the way they have kept winning is extraordinary.
      Mauricio Pochettino targets first trophy under Todd Boehly with Chelsea facing Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final
      It feels as if this is a squad of players who know this is the end of an era and are determined to squeeze every last drop out of the season.
      Klopp’s side are chasing four trophies and the first one is up for grabs against Chelsea in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
      Ask me for a prediction and I’ll want to see the Liverpool starting line-up first.
      Unless Klopp has two or three of his best players back from injury, I fancy Chelsea to sneak it.
      Those injuries will be causing serious concern at Anfield. In this age of sports science, there has to be a reason for everything.
      Nobody wants to believe that anything can just be a coincidence. Nobody in football wants to believe in luck — good or bad. Elite clubs employ so many people, they think that they can eradicate luck.
      Klopp will be demanding answers from his medical department.
      There is an ‘us against the world’ mentality at Anfield — and it is working.
      He will want to know if there are any small changes in training schedules, preparation, diet, anything that might be a reason for so many players being on the treatment table.
      It’s hard enough having Liverpool players in your fantasy football team at the moment, so imagine being Klopp. There is an ‘us against the world’ mentality at Anfield — and it is working.
      It also helps that Liverpool’s academy is so strong and that Klopp is never afraid to blood youngsters.
      Conor Bradley has really emerged in the past few weeks, while Bobby Clark looks a good player. But in a Wembley final, the Liverpool boss will not want to rely on kids.
      I like Chelsea. If they add Ivan Toney up front in the summer and a commanding centre-half to replace Thiago Silva then they could be real contenders next term.
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      Winning the Carabao Cup would be a big step for Mauricio Pochettino as he looks to build a young team.
      But every Liverpool player and supporter must suspect that Wembley finals could be very hard to come by once Klopp has gone. More

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      Jurgen Klopp’s agent confirms manager’s plans after Liverpool exit with Bayern Munich job set to be available

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      LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp plans to take a year out following his exit from the club. That’s according to his agent Marc Kosicke who told Sky Germany that the German doesn’t plan to take over any club or national team anytime soon.
      Jurgen Klopp will depart Liverpool this summerCredit: EPA
      The statement comes after Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich confirmed they will be parting ways with Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season.
      Klopp was immediately linked with replacing him.
      The Liverpool chief has already stated he has no intentions of coaching another team in England following a successful nine year spell at Anfield.
      But since the announcement in January, he has found himself linked with vacancies at Barcelona and Germany but his agent insists he is going nowhere… for now.

      Klopp’s agent Kosicke said: “Jurgen Klopp will not coach any club or national team for a year after this current season.
      “That remains unchanged.“
      With Klopp having ruled himself out of Bayern Munich job, former player and current Bayer Leverkusen manager Xavi Alonso is favourite to land the job alongside Zinedine Zidane and former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
      Ironically, the vacancy coming up at Bayern could wreck Liverpool’s plans with it understood they are keen to appoint Alonso themselves.
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      Klopp first arrived to Liverpool back in November 2015 having replaced Brendan Rodgers in the dugout.
      Klopp was able to get the team to the Europa League final a couple of months later where they lost 3-1 to Sevilla.
      Pep Guardiola breaks silence on Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp’s shock exit at end of season after Man City beat Tottenham
      Since then, he has returned the club to the top of the game, guiding them to a Champions League and Premier League trophy during his time.
      Signings including Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk have been key players during his tenure.
      Klopp has spent nine years at LiverpoolCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

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      Chelsea ‘in shock transfer swoop for Liverpool’s £85m star Darwin Nunez to solve striking woes’

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      CHELSEA were interested in signing Liverpool star Darwin Nunez last summer, according to reports.The Uruguayan, 24, endured an inconsistent first season at Anfield following his £85million switch from Benfica.
      Darwin Nunez has been in red-hot form for LiverpoolCredit: Alamy
      Nunez was admired by Paul Winstanley during Chelsea’s sporting director’s stint at Brighton.
      According to The Times, Winstanley enquired as to whether the striker would be available for the Blues to sign last summer.
      It had been rumoured that Liverpool were open to flogging Nunez, with a potential switch to Atletico Madrid in exchange for Joao Felix having been mooted.
      As it happened the claims were false, with the Reds rebuffing the Blues and keeping hold of their hard-working forward.
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      Jurgen Klopp’s faith in Nunez has largely been rewarded this term.
      The odd painful miss aside, Liverpool’s No9 has enjoyed a productive season with his side fighting on all fronts.
      Nunez has scored 13 goals in 37 appearances in all competitions, including nine in the Premier League, while also laying on 11 assists.
      He missed the Reds’ 4-1 win over Luton earlier this week and is a doubt for this Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Chelsea.
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      The Blues, meanwhile, have persevered with Nicolas Jackson up top this term.
      Jackson, 22, has managed nine goals in 27 appearances for the Blues since his £32million switch from Villarreal, including seven in the Prem.
      Watch Michael Owen’s reaction to Darwin Nunez goal as ex-Newcastle and Liverpool star caught on camera after late winner
      Boss Mauricio Pochettino also gave Armando Broja a go up front, before loaning him out to Fulham on Deadline Day.
      The Argentine has Christopher Nkunku to call upon again following a lengthy injury, with the Frenchman having scored against Liverpool in the league last month. More

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      Liverpool teen making own way in game with dad an ex-Premier League ace and grandad singer & champion in different sport

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      THE SON of a former Premier League star is now following in his father’s footsteps after making his top-flight debut.Liverpool came from behind to beat Luton Town 4-1 at Anfield on Wednesday night.
      Liverpool’s Jayden Danns made his senior debut against Luton TownCredit: EPA
      Luton boss Rob Edwards (left) enjoyed a joke with the teen and Jurgen Klopp afterwardsCredit: PA
      That result restored the Reds’ four point lead at the top of the table but it is also one that Jayden Danns will never forget.
      Boss Jurgen Klopp named the 18-year-old in his injury-hit squad for the very first time – and things got even better.
      Danns went on to make his senior bow as a substitute in the 89th-minute.
      Now, just like his 41-year-old dad Neil who played for both Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City, he has now also appeared in the Premier League.
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      Danns also has a somewhat-famous grandad – with Neil Snr a backing singer for the UK’s 1987 Eurovision Song Contest entry AND a European champion skateboarder.
      Neil Jnr – Jayden’s dad – once told The Bolton News: “He was a backing singer in the Eurovision Song Contest.
      “And he was European skateboard champion – so I don’t know why I’m so messed up!
      Liverpool-born Jayden signed for the Anfield side aged eight and has progressed right through their academy.
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      He recently told the club’s website: “My long-term aim is to be the best player I can possibly be.
      “I don’t want to end my career and have any regrets where I could have worked harder. I’d rather just put all the work in and try to get as much as I can from it.
      Xabi Alonso’s preference ‘revealed’ as Liverpool and Bayern Munich ‘make enquiries over Bayer Leverkusen boss
      “Step by step, I want to become the player that I envision.”
      Danns was obviously ecstatic after the full-time whistle at making his debut – and that led to a heartwarming moment on the pitch with the opposition manager.
      Klopp had a congratulatory hug for the youngster when Luton boss Rob Edwards walked over to the pair.
      Edwards, who played for the likes of Aston Villa, Wolves and Blackpool during his career, placed his hand on the shoulder of Danns while pointing at him and telling Klopp: “I played against his dad!”
      Neil came through the ranks at Blackburn and enjoyed loans with Blaclpool, Hartlepool and Colchester United before joining the Us permanently and helping them to promotion to the Championship.
      He left for Birmingham City in 2006 and went on to play for Crystal Palace, Leicester City, Bristol City, Huddersfield Town, Bolton Wanderers, Bury, Blackpool and Tranmere Rovers.
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      He has since embarked on a career in coaching and was player-manager at Macclesfield FC, leading them to promotion to the Northern Premier League as champions.
      He left them to become assistant manager of his old side Tranmere Rovers, who are in League Two, last summer.
      The ace’s dad Neil Danns also played in the Premier LeagueCredit: Action Images – Reuters
      The ex-midfielder featured for both Blackburn and Birmingham in the top-flightCredit: Action Images – Reuters More

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      Xabi Alonso’s preference ‘revealed’ as Liverpool and Bayern Munich ‘make enquiries over Bayer Leverkusen boss

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      XABI ALONSO is “more willing” to join Bayern Munich than Liverpool, according to reports.The Spanish head coach, 42, is bidding to lead Bayer Leverkusen to the first Bundesliga title in their history – with his club eight points clear of title rivals Bayern heading into the final 12 matches of the campaign.
      Xabi Alonso faces a tough decision this summerCredit: Getty
      But he is already being linked with an exit in the summer as two of Europe’s biggest clubs – both of whom he played for – circle for his signature.
      With Jurgen Klopp announcing he will leave Anfield at the end of the season, Alonso has been tipped to take over from the German.
      But Liverpool now face competition from Bayern after it was confirmed on Wednesday that boss Thomas Tuchel will depart in the summer.
      And according to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, Alonso is “more willing to join Bayern Munich instead of joining Liverpool”.
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      The reporter also went on to state that both clubs have “enquired” about bringing Alonso in.
      However, the ex-Spain midfielder remains focused on his job at Leverkusen.
      Alonso, who is unbeaten after 22 Bundesliga games this season, received a seal of approval from Klopp to replace him at Anfield.
      Last week, the outgoing Liverpool manager said: “Xabi is doing an incredible job.
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      “If there were not the rumours around, that’s completely independent, if you had asked me eight weeks ago about Xabi Alonso, I would have gone ‘Oh my God’.
      “The dinosaurs if you want, Ancelotti, Mourinho, Guardiola, maybe me, we will not do it – OK maybe Mourinho.
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      “But all the rest of us will not do it for the next 20 years. The next generation is already there and I would say Xabi is the stand-out in that department.”
      Alonso, who in the past has referred to managing Liverpool as a “dream”, spent five seasons at the Reds, playing more than 200 games and winning both the Champions League and FA Cup.
      After five years at Real Madrid, he then joined Bayern where he claimed three Bundesliga titles and the German Cup.
      But while he has history with both Liverpool and Bayern, he could yet opt to stay at Leverkusen.
      Alonso has a contract with the Bundesliga leaders until 2025. More