Liverpool forced to abandon plans to replace Jurgen Klopp with Xabi Alonso… and may turn to Europe’s hottest prospect

LIVERPOOL are unlikely to appoint Xabi Alonso as their new manager, according to reports.

The Reds are on the lookout for a boss to replace Jurgen Klopp with him quitting at the end of the season.

AP

Xabi Alonso supposedly wants to stay at Bayer Leverkusen[/caption]

Rex

Ruben Amorim is an alternative for Liverpool[/caption]

PA

Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi is also an option[/caption]

Alonso has been the hot favourite to takeover from the legendary German – but the club may now have to look elsewhere.

The Times report that Liverpool believe the highly-rated Spaniard wants to stay at Bayer Leverkusen for at least one more season.

Alonso’s side have not lost a game in all competitions this campaign and are aiming to lift the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and Europa League.

His possible plans to stay at Leverkusen leave Bayern Munich also needing a re-think.

The Bavarian giants also had their hearts set on appointing him as their new boss.

Liverpool will now reportedly turn their attention to Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi.

Amorim is supposedly popular among chiefs at Anfield.

He guided Sporting to their first league title in 19 years in 2021 and has since lifted two domestic cups and taken them into the knockout rounds in Europe.

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As for De Zerbi, his style of play has caught the eye of several top clubs and he has Premier League experience.

The Italian guided the Seagulls into the Europa League last 16 before defeat to Roma in their first ever season in a Uefa competition.

Meanwhile, shock reports have linked ex-Manchester United gaffer Ralf Rangnick with the Bayern job.