Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso has admitted he wishes he had the opportunity to play under Jurgen Klopp before he retired.
The 37-year-old played 143 times for the Reds, winning a Champions League, FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Community Shield.
Fellow Spaniard Rafael Benitez was his manager at Anfield, but Alonso admits he would have enjoyed experiencing the effect of Klopp on his game.
Alonso said: “I have played so many times against him, I would have loved to have been coached by him.
“But I am really happy he’s in Liverpool , [he is a] top, top manager and he seems really passionate, because he gets really close to the players, but is as well a good thinker of the game.”
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Alonso never got to win the title at Anfield, moving on to Real Madrid in 2009 where he spent six seasons, winning five trophies in total including a La Liga and a Champions League.
But he is desperate for his former club to pip Manchester City to the title.
"I really, really want [Liverpool to win the title] because we have been chasing it for so long, so long," he said.
“I know how much it means for the club, for their supporters, after so long without winning it.”
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And he also believes they could even do the double after the Reds progressed to the semi-finals of the Champions League after overcoming Porto.
They now face a tricky-looking tie against Barcelona , but Alonso believes their experience of losing last year's final to Real Madrid will only help Liverpool.
When asked if they can win the Champions League, Alonso said: “Yes, they can. Because they reached the final last year so now they know how it feels to be there. But we will see.
“It’s going to be a great, great semi-final to watch and I’m really looking forward to it.”
