Jurgen Klopp speaks out on Xabi Alonso decision to turn down Liverpool

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has reacted to Xabi Alonso’s decision to stay put at Bayer Leverkusen.

Alonso had been one of the leading contenders to replace Klopp at Liverpool after the German confirmed back in January that he would step down in the summer after nine seasons.

But following the March international break, the Spaniard has announced that he has decided to remain with Leverkusen, spurning interest from the likes of the Reds and another of his former clubs, Bayern Munich, in the process.

Liverpool now have favoured manager target as club move on quickly from Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso explains reasons for staying at Bayer Leverkusen after rejecting Liverpool move

Alonso’s Leverkusen are on the verge of becoming the first side to stop Bayern winning the Bundesliga since Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund in 2012. They are currently 10 points clear at the top of the table with eight games left to play. Leverkusen also remain in contention to win a treble, with a DFB-Pokal semi-final and Europa League quarter-final to look forward to.

And Klopp has admitted he understands Alonso’s decision, given that he turned down a number of offers from elite clubs during his seven years with Dortmund.

"One part I can speak about, a young manager being at a club where he’s doing really well," he said at his press conference. "I was in a similar situation, and did pretty much the same if you want. And never regretted it. That’s pretty much everything I can say about it.

"Xabi is doing an incredible job there. Leverkusen has a good team, will probably keep their team together. I think that’s a possibility, not every year is like that.

"I understand that he wants to do that. For the other stuff, there’s nothing I have to say to be