Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has spoken highly of Bayer Leverkusen tactician Xabi Alonso, who has been linked to replace the German at Anfield.
Klopp announced last month this will be his final season with the Reds despite having two years left on his contract.
Alonso has been tipped to replace Klopp after the impressive job he is doing at Leverkusen, who sit top of the Bundesliga and unbeaten after 21 matches.
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"Xabi is doing an incredible job," Klopp told media, as per ESPN.
"That's completely independent [of reports linking Alonso to Liverpool]. If you would have asked me eight weeks ago about Xabi Alonso, I would have gone: 'Oh my God.'
"The dinosaurs, if you want -- [Carlo] Ancelotti, [Jose] Mourinho, [Pep] Guardiola, maybe me -- we will not do it for the next 20 years. OK, maybe Mourinho will. The next generation is already there and I would say Xabi is standout in that department."
"Former world-class player, from a coaching family as well which helps a little, he was like a coach already when he was playing.
"The football he is playing, the teams he sets up, the transfers he did, it is absolutely exceptional. I played a long time in the Bundesliga and it is super impressive. Not only the points tally but the way they play.
"Leverkusen has a very good chance to win the cup. When you look through the Europa League, Leverkusen is one of the favourites there as well so it could be the season for Leverkusen. Really crazy."
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