Xabi Alonso is "already in advanced discussions" with Liverpool to replace Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool's hunt for a new manager continues after Jurgen Klopp announced last month that he will leave his role as the club's manager at the end of the season.

The search for his replacement is well underway and Xabi Alonso has been widely reported as the favourite to take the Anfield hot seat when it becomes available in the summer.

The Spanish coach is also a target for Bayern Munich, who are considering changing coaches themselves but it may be too little, too late for the Bavarians.

It would be quite a double blow if Alonso wins the Bundesliga title with Bayer Leverkusen and snubs Bayern before making a summer switch to Liverpool.

So, what do the latest reports from Germany tell us about Liverpool's search for Klopp's successor?

Liverpool and Xabi Alonso are already in advanced talks over a fairytale reunion at Anfield

Amid the intense speculation, one claim from Germany suggests that Liverpool and Alonso are already locked in advanced talks.

According to Georg Holzner, who reports for Kicker, the Reds are already well along in their negotiations with Alonso and his representatives. For Bayern, this means they will need to turn to other managerial candidates and are looking at the likes of Zinedine Zidane, Hansi Flick, Sebastian Hoeneß and Unai Emery.

What happens now that Liverpool and Alonso are supposedly in advanced talks?

Well, assuming Holzner's information is accurate and Liverpool are really in advanced discussions with Xabi Alonso, it may be a formality from here on out.

While things don't always work out as hoped, it really does seem like the stars are aligning for Liverpool and Alonso to write an exciting new chapter in their story together.

There is, of course, no forgetting Alonso's heroic role in the 2005 Champions League victory and if he is indeed to become the next manager of Liverpool, it's safe to say he will have be welcomed back in with open arms.

When asked about speculation linking him with the vacancy, Alonso has shown the utmost respect to Bayer Leverkusen by being refused to be drawn into the rumour mill.

Replying to fresh links, Alonso said: “Bayern, Liverpool? I have nothing new to say.

“Right now I'm Bayer Leverkusen coach and that's certain. Regarding the future, I have nothing new to say.

“Call received from Bayern? That’s only hypotetical, again — I have nothing new to say”.