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Liverpool and Bayern are reportedly set to engage in a ‘crazy battle’ to land Xabi Alonso.

However, there’s no guarantee that either will have Alonso at the helm next season.

Reporting on X today, German journalist Florian Plettenberg claimed that De Zerbi is Bayern’s ‘top candidate’ in case Alonso stays at Leverkusen.

“Roberto De Zerbi, top candidate for FC Bayern in case Xabi Alonso stays at Bayer 04 Leverkusen!” says Plettenberg.

However, Bayern‘s clear plan A remains Alonso!”

From a Liverpool point of view, if they can’t get Alonso either, then they should be absolutely fine with leaving De Zerbi to the Bundesliga champions.

The 39-year-old has far more experience than Alonso and has won trophies across multiple seasons.

Nobody can deny that what Xabi has achieved at Leverkusen since arriving has been phenomenal, with this season potentially legendary.

He’d possibly feel like a slightly more ready-made package than Alonso, though.

Certainly when it comes to De Zerbi, Amorim should be considered as being in a different stratosphere.

The Italian is a very good coach, there’s no question of that.

The Reds can avoid that – and negate a tricky tussle with Bayern – by making him their new Alonso alternative.