Liverpool end Xabi Alonso pursuit, manager hunt down to two choices | Football

The Bayer Leverkusen boss, who played for the Reds during a glittering career, quickly emerged as Liverpool’s top choice to replace Klopp when he steps down at the end of the season.

But, according to widespread reports, Alonso has decided to stay at Leverkusen for one more season and honour his contract after guiding the side to the summit of the Bundesliga table.

Alonso could actually come up against Liverpool in the Europa League final if both teams get that far, while the Spaniard is thought to be keen to test himself in the Champions League before jumping ship.

As such, ESPN are reporting that Liverpool have ‘abandoned plans’ to try and convince Alonso to return to Anfield and are pressing ahead with alternatives.

Liverpool’s hierarchy are thought to be relaxed about the situation and were always aware of their former midfielder’s intentions.

Michael Edwards, who returned to Liverpool as FSG’s CEO of Football earlier this month, is now leading the search for a successor to Klopp and had already identified alternative options to Alonso.

Chief among them is Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, who has impressed enormously with his side’s pulsating, attacking, front-foot football – something very much in-keeping with Liverpool’s DNA.

Liverpool’s decision makers will actually get a chance to see De Zerbi up close this Sunday when he brings his Brighton team to Anfield.

A move for the Italian has ‘strong support’ within the Liverpool hierarchy and is backed up by the data, with his track record at Brighton now marking him out as the new favourite to take over the reins.

His competition comes in the form of Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim, who has rebuilt his side after another raft of exits and has them top of the Portuguese league playing sparkling football, with the side netting 75 goals in 25 games.

Liverpool’s new manager will likely come down to a straight choice between De Zerbi and Amorim, while Alonso appears to have his eye on the Real Madrid job in a year’s time.

Bayern Munich had also been heavily linked with a move for Alonso, but honorary president Uli Hoeness played down a move on Thursday saying it was ‘probably impossible’.

‘He is more inclined to stay at Bayer Leverkusen in view of their current successes, because he would not want to leave them behind,’ explained Hoeness.

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