Liverpool receive Xabi Alonso boost as youngster handed three-match ban
Liverpool's season is approaching crunch point - but there's plenty going on at Anfield besides the Premier League title race.
With Manchester City due to visit Anfield on Sunday for what's set to be a pulsating encounter, Jurgen Klopp is desperate to go out on a high by winning his second league title. Meanwhile, the rest of the club are preparing for life without him, as the Reds top brass are busy identifying both his successor and a new sporting director.
Xabi Alonso is the hottest name linked with replacing Klopp, but there are a number of alternatives while other clubs are looking at the highly-rated Spaniard. Elsewhere, there's a jot of negativity on what's been a brilliant period for Liverpool's academy.
Here's a round-up of the latest news from Anfield.
Bayern eye Alonso alternative
Liverpool's hopes of having a free run at Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso have received a boost, with fellow admirers Bayern Munich now looking at an alternative target. Like Liverpool, Bayern are searching for a new manager ahead of next season and ex-midfielder Alonso is reportedly their first choice.
Klopp's dream Liverpool line up as last-gasp January transfers rejected
But according to Munich-based outlet AZ, the German giants - set to lose their Bundesliga crown to Alonso's unbeaten Leverkusen - have identified Feyenoord boss Arne Slot as an option to succeed the outgoing Thomas Tuchel. The 45-year-old has impressed in Rotterdam, guiding Feyenoord to the Dutch title last year and reaching the Conference League final in his first season.
Get the latest on Bayern's pursuit of Slot here.
Feyenoord boss Arne Slot is now a target for Bayern Munich (Icon Sport)Your turn! Should Xabi Alonso move to Liverpool or Bayern Munich? Let us know your pick in the comments section.
Youngster handed five-match ban
Liverpool youngster Luca Furnell-Gill was handed a three-match ban after clashing with Manchester United forward Ethan Wheatley during an under-18s match. In the second half, Furnell-Gill punched Wheatley in the build-up to United's second goal and later elbowed his opponent.
The 17-year-old defender, who joined from Preston North End at U15 level, received no punishment during the game but the FA have confirmed that he was retroactively given a three-match suspension. Furnell-Gill has already missed Liverpool's last four U18 fixtures, including their FA Youth Cup exit.
Read more about Furnell-Gill here.
Police on high alert for Man City clash
Police are braced for potential crowd trouble ahead of and during Liverpool's seismic Premier League clash with Manchester City at Anfield. Separated by one point, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola's sides will meet for a 3:45pm kick-off on Sunday with tensions high on and off the pitch.
"We have been working closely with the two football clubs and supporters' groups for this Sunday's match at Anfield," Chief Inspector Kevin Chatterton, match commander for the game, told the Daily Mail.
"As with every football match, we have a robust policing in place. Any disorderly behaviour will not be tolerated, and we will take action to identify and bring to justice anyone found responsible for committing offensive and disorderly behaviour."
More comments from Chatterton here.
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