Liverpool next manger: Reds get DECISIVE Xabi Alonso update

Xabi Alonso looks extremely unlikely to become the next Liverpool manager after widespread reports on Thursday evening. 

The Bayer Leverkusen coach and former Liverpool midfielder had been marked as the perfect successor to Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season, with the Reds ready to fight Bayern Munich for his services.

However, reliable reports on Thursday claim that the Spaniard won't take over at Anfield, instead opting to stay at Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.

The news will come as a crushing blow to the club and its supporters after excitement was building about the prospect of Alonso's return to Merseyside, with Liverpool having to now target other options in their shortlist.

Alonso has guided Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga table, with a ten-point lead over second-placed Bayern, and has reached the DFB Pokal semi-final and Europa League quarter-final in his first full season at the BayArena.

The Daily Mail report that 'Liverpool were never confident on appointing Alonso despite strong external links', with Bayern president Uli Hoeness having admitted on Thursday that recruiting the 42-year-old would be 'probably impossible'.

Liverpool will now turn their attention to Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim - who has been widely considered as the backup option to Alonso for some time - and Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi.

WHO WILL BE THE NEXT LIVERPOOL MANAGER?

With Alonso almost certain to stay at Leverkusen, Liverpool are likely to place Sporting CP manager Amorim at the top of their wishlist - Fabrizio Romano confirming he is one of the 'main names' that the club is analysing.

The 39-year-old Portuguese coach has impressed during his time at Braga and Sporting CP, guiding the latter to a first Primeira Liga title in 19 years during the 2020/21 campaign.

The Lisbon side are top of the table heading into the latter stages of this season too, a point ahead of Benfica with a game in hand.

De Zerbi is also a candidate that Liverpool are likely to take a closer look at in the coming weeks, with Brighton's trip to Anfield in the Premier League this Sunday now taking on even greater significance for both teams.

The Italian has impressed at the Amex Stadium since succeeding Graham Potter, but his Brighton side have been somewhat inconsistent this season after struggling to juggle Europa League and domestic duties.

Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann is another name that has been touted, with the former Bayern manager out of contract with Die Mannschaft after Euro 2024.