By Jacob Leeks Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has hailed Xabi Alonso, with the Spaniard the favourite to take over from Jurgen Klopp in the Anfield dugout. Benitez led the Reds to winning the 2005 Champions League and the 2006 FA Cup, with Alonso starting both games. The former midfielder is now earning rave reviews for his work at Bayer Leverkusen, who lead the Bundesliga by five points having not yet lost a game. His job at the BayArena has led to links with a return to Liverpool, with Klopp departing in the summer. Such a move would likely prove popular with Benitez, who has made his ad…