If the newest reports are to be taken seriously, Liverpool might have taken a big step to getting the man they want to replace Jurgen Klopp after the season.
Per various reports, Liverpool and Xabi Alonso's group had a posiive discussion about the soon to be open role at Anfield. So much so, that a three-year deal is said to be on the table should the Spaniard choose to accept.
For his part, Alonso has not let the distraction of the European giants pursuing him affect him negatively.
He still has Bayer Leverkusen cruising at the top of the Bundesliga by eight points over Bayern Munich. He has them playing an attractive variation of gegenpressing and it is beautiful to watch.
Were Alonso to accept the Reds post, he is said to want to bring a few of his Leverkusen starlets with him, namely Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong.
If that full aspect comes to fruition, Xabi Alonso as new manager, and Wirtz and Frimpong signing to play at Anfield, it would be a perfect summer already. There are few managers that truly understand the fabric of the club that is Liverpool. Having won at the highest level while playing here, Alonso knows all about that.
While there is never going to be another Klopp, Alonso is about as perfect a replacement that you could conjure up on the fly.
However, as he has this entire time, Alonso is keeping thigs close to his chest. While the reports say he sees the Liverpool job as too big of an opportunity to pass up, he is not giving anything to the media.
I respect this on his behalf, because being able to handle the media is going to be a humongous skill at Anfield that Klopp has mastered over the years.
To surmise, Liverpool have put forth a three-year pact to hire Xabi Alonso as their next manager. He is very intrigued but wants to give his full focus to finishing the season strong in Germany.
The talks have been positive and it looks like momentum is building towards something big happening.