Richard Keys says Xabi Alonso 'bottled' huge Liverpool decision because of one simple reason

Richard Keys believes there is one simple reason why Xabi Alonso 'bottled' his decision on his future.

In January Jurgen Klopp made the shock announcement that he will step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season, and since then there has been plenty of speculation about who will replace him.

Former Liverpool midfielder and current Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso quickly became the favourite to take the top job at Anfield, with plenty of other coaches linked as well.

Alonso has worked wonders with Leverkusen this season, taking the German coach to the brink of winning the Bundesliga for the first time while playing an attractive style of football.

Liverpool fans were left disappointed on Friday though when Alonso announced that he will not be leaving Leverkusen this summer.

The Spaniard said: "My job at Bayer is not over. I want to help the club, help the players to develop. The board is great - it's all fantastic here.

"I'm still a young coach, but I think this is the best decision for my future. I took my time and I'm sure about that."

Alonso has earned plenty of praise for his decision not to jump ship after one successful season, although none of it came from Richard Keys.

The veteran broadcaster said on beIN Sports: "In my opinion it is a huge mistake. At no other time in history will jobs at Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and maybe Real Madrid be available again.

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"Right now he could have his pick. At no other point in his career going forward will he be in this luxurious position again."

In an attempt to explain the rationale behind Alonso's decision, Keys added: "I would question the size of his cojones.

"Leverkusen will never again have a season like this. Bayern Munich next year will make sure that they have another decade of domination in German football.

"Right now his stock is as high as it will ever be and his opportunities are as broad and as great as they will ever be, and I think he has bottled it."

Topics: Liverpool, Xabi Alonso, Jurgen Klopp, Bayer Leverkusen, Bundesliga, Football, Richard Keys

Alex Brotherton

Alex Brotherton is a Sports Trends Writer at SPORTbible. He has previously worked with publications including the Manchester Evening News, GOAL and BBC Sport. He is a football fanatic, but also dabbles in tennis and American football. He enjoys running, cooking and watching non-league football.

@alex_brotherton