Liverpool’s hopes of luring Xabi Alonso back to Anfield were dashed on Friday with the Spaniard deciding to stay put at Bayer Leverkusen, who he has on course for a first ever Bundesliga title.

A Champions League winner during his time as a player at Liverpool, Alonso had been quickly installed as the favourite to succeed Jurgen Klopp after the German made his shock announcement in January that he would leave at the end of the season.

Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim is the new front-runner with the bookmakers ahead of Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi and Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann.

Alonso’s decision to remain with Leverkusen, who are unbeaten in 38 games in all competitions this season, ends Liverpool’s hopes his arrival would soften the blow of Klopp’s impending departure.

The Reds’ fortunes on and off the field have been transformed during Klopp’s eight-and-a-half years in charge.

Liverpool won their first league title in 30 years in 2020, a year after lifting the Champions League.

Klopp is on course to leave in a blaze of glory.

But De Zerbi has struggled to maintain the same standards this season due to the demands of juggling the club’s first ever foray into Europe with the rigours of competing at the top end of the Premier League.

Nagelsmann was once considered the rising star of European coaching himself after impressing at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig.

An ill-fated spell at Bayern Munich set him back, but he could redeem his reputation with Germany at a home European Championship.

After a difficult start to his time in charge of the national team, friendly victories over France and the Netherlands have given the German public hope of a summer to remember.

However, Nagelsmann’s involvement at the tournament could count against his case for the Anfield hot seat.

Liverpool’s first pre-season friendly against Arsenal comes just over two weeks after the final of the Euros. (AFP)

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