Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson has come up with a theory as to why Xabi Alonso turned down the chance to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
Former Liverpool midfielder Alonso, who won the Champions League with the club in their famous comeback win over AC Milan back in 2005, was immediately linked with replacing Klopp following his shock announcement.
But Alonso stunned fans and critics alike when he pledged his future to Bayer Leverkusen following a remarkable campaign this season as he revealed the main reason why he rejected his old side.
As a result, the Premier League giants pursued Arne Slot, who penned a three-year deal at Liverpool and identified four key players that he wants to build his team around next season.
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Ex-Reds defender Lawrenson reckons the 42-year-old didn't want to be the man to follow the German boss, considering the struggles that Manchester United have endured since Sir Alex Ferguson walked away from Old Trafford in 2013.
The 66-year-old, however, believes the Spaniard would want the job in the future, possibly after Slot.
"The people I speak to, and I feel the same, think maybe the time to get the job was after Mr Slot. The pressure now will be immense and maybe Alonso has been really cute by saying 'I’d love to have the job but not yet', and that’s the way of the world," he explained.
"They will back him, though. There is no doubt about that because that’s the way the football club is. They know he’s going to be different, and anyone who doesn’t realise that is not a proper Liverpool fan."
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Sporting CP coach Ruben Amorim was also rumoured to replace Klopp before Liverpool opted for Slot, who will formally take up the position on June 1 ahead of the 2024/25 season.
Alonso, meanwhile, has led Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title and could secure a league and cup double with a win over Kaiserslautern in today's DFB-Pokal cup final.
Topics: Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, Xabi Alonso, Football
Nasir Jabbar