Xabi Alonso has defended his decision not to move on from Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

The former Liverpool midfielder has also delivered a blunt response to Paul Merson.

Alonso was heavily linked to both Liverpool and Bayern Munich earlier this year.



With both clubs looking for new managers as Jürgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel prepare to depart, a return to one of his former clubs seemed to be a good bet.

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The 42-year-old though sprang something of a surprise when he elected to stay put at Bayer Leverkusen, confirming his decision last month.

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His decision though has been questioned in some quarters, with suggestions that he may have missed his chance to move to one of Europe’s elite clubs.

Mine is this."

Liverpool.com says: You can certainly understand Alonso’s decision to stay, and you can only really admire his loyalty to Leverkusen.

Liverpool and Bayern would certainly have offered him the opportunity to go after a Champions League crown, which might prove to be beyond Leverkusen’s capabilities.

Nevertheless, with Bayern going through a transition period, with some surgery needed on its squad, you wouldn’t rule out Alonso enjoying more success at his current club.