Xabi Alonso sent stinging seven-word warning following Liverpool and Bayern Munich snub

Paul Merson has sent a sharp warning to Xabi Alonso, telling him he might wish he hadn't turned down Liverpool and Bayern Munich.

Former Reds playmaker Alonso - who helped the club to a memorable Champions League triumph in 2005 - was thought to be the one to take over from Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. But he's chosen to stay with Bayer Leverkusen instead. Alonso is doing great in Germany, with his team Bayer Leverkusen leading the Bundesliga and not losing any of their 26 games. They're ahead by 10 points and could beat Bayern Munich's long run of wins. Alonso, 42 quickly emerged as the bookies favourite to become the next Liverpool boss, with others like Roberto De Zerbi and Ruben Amorim available at longer prices.

With Thomas Tuchel set to leave Bavarian giants Bayern in the summer, the Spaniard was also touted to make a return to a club where he enjoyed great success as a player between 2014 and 2017. But on Friday, Alonso told the press he's staying with his German team after thinking hard during the international break, reports the Liverpool Echo.

"There has been a lot of speculation around my future, we have been busy and focused and I wanted the international break to reflect a bit better," Alonso said. "I had a very good meeting with the decision-makers, and I decided to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.

"I feel this is the right place to develop as a coach. I have to feel it, and right now I feel this is the right place... my job is not over here," he continued. "For sure all the decisions needed to be analysed well and I tried to take the right ones."

The Leverkusen manager further expressed his commitment to his current role, adding: "I tried to take them that I feel they come in a natural way and at this moment I felt