Liverpool FC news recap: Alonso on future, Reds' 2nd choice

Here's our Liverpool FC news recap for Thursday 22nd February. Xabi Alonso spoke on his future, while the Reds know their second choice.

Liverpool are now preparing for the Carabao Cup final, having beaten Luton Town 4-1 on Wednesday. Next up are Chelsea as the Reds compete for the first trophy of the season.

But Liverpool have a lot more to worry about, of course. They're still on the hunt for a new manager, as well as a sporting director. There's also talk of an offer for Kylian Mbappe back in 2022 - and why the Reds turned down the chance to sign him.

Here's our Liverpool FC news recap.

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Alonso on future

Liverpool and Bayern Munich are in the market for a new manager. Jurgen Klopp will step down at Anfield once the season is done and now Bayern will part with Thomas Tuchel once the campaign finishes.

Reports suggest that both clubs are very much prioritising Alonso - but they certainly can't both get him. And right now, Alonso is refusing to commit to anyone at all.

"Right now I’m the coach [of Leverkusen]. That's for sure," he told a press conference on Thursday. "I have nothing new to say for the future. "We will see. It's normal that there are questions, but it's off-topic now. Now is not the time for me to talk much about it.”

When asked whether he'll manage Leverkusen next season, Alonso merely said that he's "assuming that right now". Not exactly the firmest commitment in the world, then.

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Liverpool have 2nd choice in mind

Liverpool have their preferred manager in mind if Xabi Alonso rejects them this year. The Spaniard has other options.

The Independent reports that Liverpool are drawing up their shortlist of alternatives should Xabi Alonso reject the chance to take over this summer. The Reds are in the market for a new boss after Jurgen Klopp announced his intention to step down at the end of the season.

Alonso is the first choice after his incredible job at Bayer Leverkusen this season. Leverkusen are eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and unbeaten all season.

However, there's also competition. Bayern Munich will part with Thomas Tuchel this summer, too, and Alonso supposedly tops their list. The Spaniard is known to want to manage one of his former clubs and he'll get the opportunity to pick one this year.

That means both Liverpool and Bayern need alternatives. The Independent claims Ruben Amorim now tops Liverpool's list should Alonso reject the chance to take over at Anfield.

Roberto De Zerbi is the other name mentioned in the article, but only as someone who isn't seen as likely a hire as Amorim. The Brighton boss has been linked since the start of the Reds' search.

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Chelsea asked about Nunez

Paul Joyce reports in the Times that Chelsea co-sporting director Paul Winstanley, acting on a rumour that Liverpool were considering a sale, made an enquiry about Nuñez's availability during the 2023 summer window.

That tentative transfer approach was quickly rebuffed, however, with the Reds never considering letting go of the player the shelled out an initial £65m for from Benfica in 2022.

Nunez had been on a run of five goals and three assists in his last eight appearances for Liverpool. However, after scoring a delightful chipped finish, he was substituted with a complaint at half time of the win over Brentford last Saturday.

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PSG gave Liverpool Mbappe price

Liverpool enquired about Kylian Mbappe in 2022, according to reports. Paris Saint-Germain even gave them a price - but the Reds said no.

Foot Mercato claims Liverpool did enquire about Kylian Mbappe back in 2022, before the French superstar renewed his contract in the French capital.

There have long been links between the Reds and Mbappe, with the striker previously admitting that he'd held talks.

Liverpool have had interest for years, from before his move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. They've been the name linked with a move, alongside Real Madrid, ever since it became clear that Mbappe would eventually leave PSG.

And it seems there was an opportunity to snap him up back in 2022 when Mbappe informed the Parisians that he wished to leave. An enquiry was made. However, it reported that PSG quoted a Liverpool a crazy €400m (£342m) price.

The Reds, understandably, rejected the chance to sign him. That would have essentially doubled the world record transfer, after all.

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Tuchel wants return to England

Thomas Tuchel already has a stance on his future as talk of Liverpool crops up. The German will leave Bayern Munich this summer.

The Telegraph has reported on Thomas Tuchel as the German prepares for his next managerial job. Tuchel will leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season after a disappointing campaign.

And the Telegraph claim that Tuchel will be aiming for a job in the Premier League next. He's eager to return to England and, of course, knows that Liverpool are in the market for a new manager.

Whether Liverpool end up approaching Tuchel, though, isn't clear. They're strongly linked with Xabi Alonso and while they'll certainly talk with other managers before hiring, it does feel like everyone else's chances depend on the Spaniard rejecting an offer.

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