Jurgen Klopp's shock Liverpool exit announcement will only intensify speculation former midfielder Xabi Alonso will succeed him at Anfield.
The 42-year-old Spaniard, who helped Liverpool win the Champions League during five successful years there, was immediately installed by bookmakers as the favourite to succeed Klopp.
Alonso is enjoying an exceptional season in charge of German club Bayer Leverkusen, who remain unbeaten in the 18 Bundesliga games and enjoy a four-point lead over Bayern Munich at the top.
Late last year, Alonso was being linked with three of his former clubs - Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich - amid rumours of a release clause in his Leverkusen contract.