Liverpool FC news recap: Alonso rejection, Amorim clause, Torres back

Here’s our Liverpool FC news recap for Friday, March 29th. The Reds’ top manager candidate is out of the running.

Liverpool received confirmation on Friday that Xabi Alonso will not take over as manager. The Reds' former midfielder is going o remain with Bayer Leverkusen for at least another year.

That instantly thrusts Ruben Amorim into the position as no.1 target - reportedly. The Sporting CP boss even has a release clause - though, what it actually is appears to be anyone's guess.

And to top it off, Fernando Torres is back at Liverpool!

Here's our Liverpool FC news recap for Friday.

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Alonso rejects Liverpool

Xabi Alonso has confirmed that he will stay at Bayer Leverkusen next season after addressing his future during a press conference. 

Both Liverpool and Bayern Munich were eager to sign the Spanish coach at the end of the season, but widespread reports on Thursday evening suggested he would stay at the BayArena.

Alonso has worked wonders at Leverkusen this season, guiding Die Werkself to the top of the Bundesliga table, going unbeaten in all competitions and reaching the latter stages of the DFB Pokal and Europa League.

There were hopes that he may choose to return to Anfield after spending several years there as a player, but those dreams have now been dashed.

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Amorim release clause

The release clause of Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim has been revealed as Liverpool continue their hunt for a successor to Jurgen Klopp.

The Reds have been handed a devastating blow in their pursuit of a new manager after reports emerged stating that Xabi Alonso would not be making a return to Anfield, instead staying at Bayer Leverkusen for another year at least.

As a result, Liverpool will have to turn their attention elsewhere in their pursuit of a new head coach, with Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim the current front-runner.

Reports regarding the exact figure of Amorim's release clause have been varied, but reliable journalist Paul Joyce has revealed that it stands at £17m.

That would be a reasonable amount for Liverpool to splash on a manager who could be at the club for a long time if things go well, with Amorim only at the beginning of his managerial career.

However, it's worth noting that transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has previously reported in early March that Amorim's release clause was €30m (£25.6m) - almost £9m more expensive.

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Torres back at Liverpool

Fernando Torres isn’t finished with Liverpool just yet. Here’s why he flew back to Merseyside on Thursday.

Fernando Torres made his return to Anfield last weekend as he starred with Liverpool Legends for the first time. The Spaniard donned the no.9 shirt and made that return a scoring one.

But it appears he's not quite done with Liverpool. Torres went back to Madrid to coach Atletico Madrid's Under 19 team this week, overseeing a 4-0 win over Numancia.

The former striker then flew to Liverpool once again on Thursday, where he'll remain over Easter weekend. Liverpool confirmed this on Friday with a set of images, showing their former no.9 with Jurgen Klopp and Mohamed Salah.

Klopp backs Alonso decision

Jurgen Klopp has moved to back Xabi Alonso and his decision to reject the Liverpool job. The Spaniard had topped the Reds’ shortlist.

Xabi Alonso delivered heartbreak to Liverpool fans on Friday as news came out that he was staying at Bayer Leverkusen. The 42-year-old then confirmed his decision later in the day.

Alonso has been the favourite to take over at Liverpool ever since Jurgen Klopp announced he would be stepping down at the end of the season. Of course, he's also been the favourite to take over at Bayern Munich, who will soon part ways with Thomas Tuchel.

But Alonso will join neither. He's going to remain with Leverkusen for at least one more year and then assess his options in 2025.

The fact this news came out on a Friday did offer an interesting opportunity, though. It allowed journalists to ask Klopp for his reaction as the Liverpool boss did his pre-match press conference ahead of Brighton on Sunday.

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Klopp shares injury update

Jurgen Klopp has offered an important injury update on several first-team players ahead of this Sunday's clash with Brighton, including Darwin Nunez, Ibrahima Konate and Curtis Jones. 

Liverpool face the Seagulls in their first match since the March international break, with the Reds needing all three points against the south coast side as they fight for the Premier League title.

Manchester City host Arsenal after Liverpool's clash at Anfield, meaning Klopp's side are capable of taking advantage of dropped points for at least one team in the title picture.

However, injuries continue to prove frustrating on Merseyside, with Klopp offering an update on some of Liverpool's key players ahead of Brighton's visit.

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