Liverpool or Bayern Munich: Who should Xabi Alonso choose?
- Xabi Alonso has worked wonders at Bayer Leverkusen this season
- Both Liverpool and Bayern Munich are interested in his services
- 90min assesses which club he should join
Thanks to his remarkable turnaround of Bayer Leverkusen's fortunes, Xabi Alonso is the hottest commodity in world football at the moment.
The ex-midfielder is set to have the pick of a number of vacant posts this summer with Liverpool and Bayern Munich the most interested parties with Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel both leaving their respective clubs (one of his own accord, the other rather forcibly).
So, which club so Alonso go to?
We at 90min have taken a look.
Tactical fit
Alonso's relentless passing and pressing style of play has rightfully earned plaudits this season, with Leverkusen scoring goals for fun at one end and barely conceding any at the other.
It's the sort of football that every single football fan dreams of their team playing, but without the right players, it can be little more than a dream.
Bayern certainly have plenty of players who would shine in Alonso's famed 3-4-2-1. Joshua Kimmich would be wonderful in the heart of the midfield playing the Granit Xhaka role, Alphonso Davies would star as a creative wing-back, and Alonso might finally be able to get the best out of the highly-talented yet woefully underperforming Matthijs de Ligt in a back three.
Despite that, as things stand the Liverpool squad looks like it'd adjust to the demands of Alonso's intricate tactical set-up a bit better. And the main reason for that is Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Scouse-born superstar is seemingly made to play the role Alex Grimaldo is utilised in in Alonso's 3-4-2-1. The freedom he'd be afforded as a wing-back who is allowed to float into the heart of the midfield and into vacant space anywhere in the final third would be a sight to behold.
Winner: Liverpool
Honours
Liverpool are currently in contention to win the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Europa League and Carabao Cup.
Bayern Munich are currently in contention to win, well, nothing.
Those facts would lead one to believe that, by taking over at Liverpool, Alonso would have more chances of winning silverware, right?
WRONG (sorry if that was a tad aggressive).
Bayern's utter dominance of the Bundesliga - they won the title 11 years on the spin - prior to Alonso rocking up at Leverkusen, and Liverpool winning just one league title in the last 30 years due to the dominance Manchester United, then Chelsea, and now Manchester City, suggests the opposite.
Simply put, if Alonso takes over at Bayern he's probably winning ever single Bundesliga title he competes for. If he takes over at Liverpool, those league titles are much less of guarantee.
Winner: Bayern Munich
Bigger job?
Look, before we pick a winner let's get this out of the way: both Liverpool and Bayern Munich are basically the same size of football clubs.
Both have huge followings, both have won six European Cups/UEFA Champions Leagues, and both wear red (if that's relevant to you at all).
The reason why we'd give the slight edge to Liverpool in this category is the prospect of replacing one of the greatest managers in the club's history in Klopp. As the manager who ended the Reds' three decade wait for a Premier League title and the manager who added another Champions League trophy, Klopp is rightfully lauded as a true great of the game.
They're big shoes to fill, and it feels like Alonso is the only manager capable of filling them.
Winner: Liverpool
Overall
Bayern is a logical next step for Alonso, but for our money Liverpool is the best next step for the manager.
The Reds have a solid foundation for him to build upon, with a number of fantastic young players coming through the academy, a number of superstars in the starting XI, and a tidy transfer kitty likely available to bring in the players he needs.
Winner: Liverpool
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