Xabi Alonso made Liverpool thoughts abundantly clear after turning down job

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Xabi Alonso admitted his stance on potentially replacing Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool before becoming Real Madrid managerXabi Alonso previously admitted he didn't consider becoming Liverpool boss following Jurgen Klopp's exit announcement. Given the stunning job he was doing with Bayer Leverkusen at the time, as well as having been a fan favourite during his five years playing for the club, the Spaniard certainly had the support of fans.Alonso did make a return to Anfield last year when Leverkusen played the Reds but had a miserable time of it with the then-German champions losing 4-0, courtesy of Luis Diaz's hat-trick and a Cody Gakpo strike.READ MORE: Liverpool vs Real Madrid to be 'banned from taking place' after UEFA rule changeREAD MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold set for Liverpool repeat as Real Madrid media ask awkward return questionIt was before the match commenced that the 43-year-old commented on the prior rumours linking him with the Liverpool job - before the appointment of Arne Slot - admitting his full focus was on the Bundesliga side."At that time I was focused, I had a big thing with the Leverkusen players and we were really focused on that," Alonso said.

"I've seen a lot of different things Klopp implemented here but I have followed Slot too."I know his approach but it is combined with the intensity here at Liverpool, they have a nice mixture and that is why they are top of Premier League and Champions League. Gakpo, Diaz, Tsimikas, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; they have so many options." It was just two months after Klopp's announcement that Alonso ended speculation surrounding his managerial future, revealing he was to stay in Germany for the 24/25 campaign.Reports also linked Alonso with the Bayern Munich job as Thomas Tuchel was to leave his role in Bavaria at the end of the season.

Speaking about his decision to remain with Leverkusen, he said at the time: "I am convinced it is the right decision, I am happy. My job is not over here."His departure from Germany came at the end of last season as he replaced Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.