Will Jurgen Klopp stay at Liverpool? Xabi Alonso latest as Reds seek new options following Bayer Leverkusen decision

Every man and his dog knows Jurgen Klopp is leaving Liverpool at the end of the season after the 56-year-old stunned the footballing world in January.

The news hit Liverpool fans hard but immediately sparked discussion around who their new manager would be.

Many immediately looked to Xabi Alonso, a former Liverpool player, who has his Bayer Leverkusen team running away from Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and currently unbeaten in 38 games across all competitions.

There was then the fear that Alonso could be poached by Bayern as they announced that Thomas Tuchel would leave the club at the end of the season.

Reports then emerged on March 29 that Alonso would be continuing as Leverkusen manager for at least the next season, with his release clause active until the summer of 2025.

The Sporting News takes a look at whether Liverpool could wait until then to capture Alonso, look elsewhere or, dare we say it, have Klopp stay for an additional year.

 Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool trophies and record during time at Anfield

The short answer is no. That's because he isn't and there has yet to be any inclination that him staying is a possibility.

The only hope for Liverpool fans is that the German pulls a massive U-turn on his decision and stays for a final year to give the club time to pursue and convince Alonso. But by then, they could see competition with Real Madrid to capture the Spaniard.

Former Spain and Madrid midfielder Alonso was a crowd favourite during his five years at Anfield under Rafael Benitez. Alonso is now arguably the most highly-touted young coach in Europe, having led Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga ahead of the mighty Bayern.

Slaying Bayern would amount to taking a page out of the Klopp playbook from the latter's