The Spaniard will stay at Bayer Leverkusen for one more season (Picture: Getty)

Xabi Alonso will not succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool?s next manager, with the Merseysiders ending their pursuit and whittling down their shortlist to two other targets.

The Bayer Leverkusen boss, who played for the Reds during a glittering career, quickly emerged as Liverpool?s top choice to replace Klopp when he steps down at the end of the season.

But, according to widespread reports, Alonso has decided to stay at Leverkusen for one more season and honour his contract after guiding the side to the summit of the Bundesliga table.

Alonso could actually come up against Liverpool in the Europa League final if both teams get that far, while the Spaniard is thought to be keen to test himself in the Champions League before jumping ship.
As such, ESPN are reporting that Liverpool have ?abandoned plans? to try and convince Alonso to return to Anfield and are pressing ahead with alternatives.

Liverpool?s hierarchy are thought to be relaxed about the situation and were always aware of their former midfielder?s intentions.

Michael Edwards, who returned to Liverpool as FSG?s CEO of Football earlier this month, is now leading the search for a successor to Klopp and had already identified alternative options to Alonso.

De Zerbi is now favourite to succeed Klopp at Liverpool (Picture: Getty)

Chief among them is Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi, who has impressed enormously with his side?s pulsating, ...