Xabi Alonso's 'dream' is to manage Liverpool and he will leave Bayer Leverkusen for Anfield in the summer, according to Bastian Schweinsteiger.
The Spaniard, 42, is the hot favourite to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool after the 'tired' German announced he will step down at the end of the season.
It comes as Alonso's Leverkusen side top the Bundesliga table ahead of Bayern Munich and remain on course in the DFB-Pokal and the UEFA Europa League.
Reports this week suggested Liverpool first contacted Alonso over the upcoming vacancy in November but the coach has publicly insisted he is fully focused on Leverkusen, who are unbeaten in 30 games.