'Liverpool is a dangerous move' - Michael Owen warns Xabi Alonso Anfield return is 'risky' and explains why Bayern Munich might be better option

Leverkusen manager Alonso has been linked with Liverpool and Bayern, with Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel both leaving their respective managerial roles this summer. While Alonso is committed to Die Werkself this season, fellow former Reds star Owen thinks staying in the Bundesliga but moving to the Bavarians may be the best choice - as following Klopp will be a huge task.

The former striker told Bet Ideas: "It’s a big dilemma for Xabi Alonso. Real Madrid is another possibility in the future but it looks like unless he stays at Leverkusen then it’s a straight fight between Liverpool and Bayern and you can see the pros and cons for both. He’s not been a manager long so I think the safer option is going to Bayern Munich.

"Although they’re not going to win the league this year because of him at Leverkusen, it’s almost guaranteeing a league title with Bayern winning eleven in a row before this season. Straight away the team will be back to winning the league, it’s virtually a given. So for his progression, his stock is only going to go absolutely through the roof if he makes that safe move to Bayern.

"Liverpool is a dangerous move. Following Jurgen Klopp is going to be so difficult. They don’t play in the style of play of Xabi Alonso at the moment, they play a different style, so it might not be that easy to convert. Or he might just be a great manager that can coach in different ways. But we’ve seen with Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United and Arsene Wenger at Arsenal and how those clubs went through a lot of pain.

"We’ve now got a sustained period of success at Liverpool under Klopp and the next manager can’t do better than that so the only way is down maybe? It’s a dangerous, risky move and the Bayern Munich one is a safe option, with his credibility probably going through the roof, and then he can have his pick again should he need it. It’s a really difficult one at the moment and I can see pros and cons for both clubs."

While Alonso has a wealth of options available to him this summer, he will be focused on Leverkusen winning the Bundesliga for the first time, the Europa League, and the DFB-Pokal this season. However, if Bayern or Liverpool come calling this summer, it may be too good an opportunity to refuse.

While the links with Alonso, Liverpool, and Bayern will continue for weeks and months, Leverkusen take on Qarabag in the first leg of their last 16 Europa League tie on Thursday evening. Then Alonso's team, who are 10 points clear at the top of the league, host Wolfsburg on March 10.