Liverpool & Bayern Munich dealt major blow in Xabi Alonso pursuit

Liverpool appear set to throw in the towel in their pursuit of Xabi Alonso as a successor to Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, with the Spanish coach tipped to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.

Klopp’s impending departure has left Liverpool needing a new manager for the first time since 2015. The Reds had wanted to secure the club’s updated footballing structure before focusing their attention on a replacement for the legendary German, but have successfully appointed Michael Edwards in a more senior role than he had during his previous tenure and Richard Hughes.

Finding a head coach is next on the to-do list, but it suddenly seems unlikely to be Alonso.

The Times has reported that Liverpool have conducted due diligence that indicates Alonso is “minded to stay at Bayer Leverkusen for at least another season.”

The 42-year-old has Leverkusen on the brink of their first ever Bundesliga title thanks to a ten-point lead over Bayern Munich with only eight games of the campaign left to play.

Xabi AlonsoXabi Alonso

Alonso was also wanted by Bayern Munich / Alex Grimm/GettyImages

Rather than waste valuable time and energy trying to convince Alonso otherwise, Liverpool are now expected to put more focus on different options instead. Bayern Munich had also been interested in Alonso as a replacement for Thomas Tuchel, set to depart this summer, although honorary president Uli Hoeness has communicated a similar defeatist stance to Liverpool.

“It will be difficult, if not probably impossible [to hire Alonso]. He is more inclined to stay at Bayer Leverkusen in view of their current successes, because he would not want to leave them behind,” the Bayern chief explained to Das Erste in Germany.

Liverpool had placed Alonso among serious contenders on their seven-strong managerial shortlist alongside Roberto De Zerbi, Julian Nagelsmann and Ange Postecoglou. But with an approach now considered unlikely, it could change things and potentially strengthen Ruben Amorim’s chances.

The Portuguese, currently in charge at Sporting CP, is admired by the Anfield hierarchy but a lack of experience managing in one of Europe’s top five leagues had previously counted against him.

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Inter Miami predicted lineup vs NYCFC – MLS

Inter Miami boss Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino will have little choice but to pick a similar lineup to the one that fell against New York Red Bulls last weekend when his team battle NYCFC.

The former Mexico national team head coach chose a more defensive formation against Red Bulls, going with the 3-5-2 shape in the rain last weekend. With limited options up front, don’t be surprised to see Martino go with the same look this Saturday as Miami hope to get back on track.

Here’s how the Herons could line up on Saturday evening at Chase Stadium.

Diego GomezDiego Gomez

Diego Gomez returns to the lineup for Miami / Megan Briggs/GettyImages

GK: Drake Callender – The veteran shot-stopper returns to the mix after serving as a backup on international duty with the USMNT.

CB: Tomas Aviles – He’ll look to put in a much better performance this weekend after a poor showing against Red Bulls.

CB: Serhiy Kryvtsov – Kryvtsov will have his work cut out with the talented NYCFC forwards he’s set to come up against.

CB: Noah Allen – He looked out of sorts at center-back last week but Miami have no other choice but to play the youngster in the back three.

RM: Robert Taylor – The 29-year-old is set to feature as a wing-back for the second straight game.

CM: Julian Gressel – A central midfield role is on the horizon once more for the former Columbus Crew figure.

CM: Sergio Busquets – Continuing to age like a fine wine, the Barcelona legend anchors the middle of the park.

CM: Diego Gomez – The Paraguay international makes a much-needed return to the XI to aid Busquets and Gressel.

LM: Jordi Alba – The 34-year-old looks set to wreak havoc down the left-hand side in his favored position.

ST: Luis Suarez – It was a dull showing last time out for the veteran striker and he’ll look to get back to goalscoring form against the Boys in Blue.

ST: Leo Campana – He’ll look to add to his three goal involvements with another start up top next to Suarez.

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Real Madrid’s winners & losers from March international break

With the international break now over, Real Madrid’s stars from across the globe are heading back to Valdebebas to switch their focus on to Sunday’s La Liga clash with Athletic Club.

And it’s fair to say that most of Madrid’s internationals will be heading into the game buoyed by some impressive performances for their respective countries.

Here’s the highlights from Carlo Ancelotti’s squad during March’s international break.

Toni KroosToni Kroos

Kroos has turned Germany’s fortunes around / Lars Baron/GettyImages

You know you’ve had a good international break when football fans are comparing you to 2006 World Cup Zinedine Zidane. That may be the highest praise imaginable for a midfielder.

And while it is a bit hyperbolic, there’s no doubting that Toni Kroos was utterly exceptional for Germany in their two most recent friendlies.

The Real Madrid star, who returned from international football retirement earlier in the month, instantly made Die Mannschaft look like genuine contenders for Euro 2024 after a rough few years by inspiring wins over France and the Netherlands.

He’s single-handedly turned things around for the German national team.

Eduardo CamavingaEduardo Camavinga

Suffered an injury scare / Xavier Laine/GettyImages

What’s the last thing a player wants during an international break ahead of a number of crunch club fixtures?

Yep, that’s right, an injury scare.

That’s exactly what Eduardo Camavinga had this past week when he limped off in France’s 3-2 win over Chile on Tuesday evening.

After initial scans, it seems that the midfielder is not set to miss any games with what has been described as a ‘simple strain’.

Endrick FelipeEndrick Felipe

Superstar in the making / Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/GettyImages

A lot has been made of Endrick since he signed for Real Madrid, potentially thanks in large part to how utterly ridiculous he’s been on the last few Football Manager games, and this past week European footbal fans finally got to see what all the fuss is about.

The youngster marked his maiden trip to Wembley Stadium with a winning goal against England, and followed that up with his first ever goal at the Santiago Bernabeu in a subsequent draw with Spain.

Believe the hype.

Joselu SanmartínJoselu Sanmartín

Not an ideal international break / Eurasia Sport Images/GettyImages

The fact that Joselu didn’t play a single minute of Spain’s draw with Brazil after starting his nation’s rather embarrassing defeat to Colombia tells you basically all you need to know about the 34-year-old forward’s performance at the London Stadium.

His 73% pass accuracy and zero shots on goal tells you the rest. Not ideal.

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Football transfer rumours: Liverpool consider Alexander-Arnold swap; Barcelona confident over Haaland signing

90min rounds up the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip circulating around the world…

Liverpool have submitted an official proposal to sign Real Madrid winger Rodrygo this summer. (El Nacional – Spain)

Liverpool have also considered using right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold as part of their bid to bring Rodrygo to Anfield. (Defensa Central – Spain)

Scouts from Manchester United have recently been sent to Spain to observe Real Madrid forward Joselu, who will join Los Blancos permanently this summer for €1.5m when his loan from Espanyol expires. (Relevo – Spain)

Leaving Man Utd this summer will be midfielder Christian Eriksen, who is free to depart after losing his place to Kobbie Mainoo. (Football Insider)

Joshua Kimmich has an agreement with Bayern Munich over a summer exit. Bids of €65m (£56m) will be accepted. (El Nacional – Spain)

Arsenal have matched Chelsea‘s €60m (£51m) bid for Sporting CP centre-back Ousmane Diomande, who is also of interest to Bayern Munich and Newcastle United. (Record – Portugal)

Also on Arsenal‘s wish list is AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer, who they sold in 2017. A fee of €50m (£43m) is expected to be enough to get a deal done. (Calciomercato.it – Italy)

Jorginho is losing patience with his uncertain future at Arsenal and is being eyed by Barcelona, who hope to sign him on a free transfer this summer. (SPORT – Spain)

Joselu MatoJoselu Mato

Joselu is on Man Utd’s radar / Mateo Villalba/GettyImages

Barcelona are growing in confidence about their chances of signing Manchester City striker Erling Haaland in 2025, with some at the club already certain the Norway international will be at Camp Nou in 18 months. (Jota Jordi – Spain)

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in re-signing Sporting CP winger Marcus Edwards, who is valued at over €20m (£17m). Crystal Palace are also chasing the 25-year-old’s signature. (A Bola – Portugal)

Arsenal have a list of ten potential striker targets for the summer window, including RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres and Newcastle’s Alexander Isak. (Mirror)

Pep Guardiola is “obsessed” by the idea of bringing Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes to Manchester City but would have to pay a fee of €100m (£86m) to get a deal over the line. (Fichajes – Spain)

Tottenham want Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez as their long-term replacement for striker Harry Kane. (CaughtOffside)

Juventus winger Samuel Iling-Junior, formerly of Chelsea, is being eyed by Brighton, Everton, Tottenham and West Ham. (Football Insider)

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Atalanta send warning to Liverpool & Juventus over Teun Koopmeiners transfer

Atalanta director Luca Percassi has insisted that the club “does not need to sell” star midfielder Teun Koopmeiners amid Liverpool and Juventus interest.

The Dutch international has been one of the standout performers in Italy for the best part of the last 18 months, bagging an impressive 22 goals and eight assists in all competitions during that period.

Percassi has insisted in an interview with L’Eco di Bergamo that the midfielder hasn’t asked to be sold, despite Koopmeiners himself recently stating that was the case.

“This club is solid and does not need to sell,” the Atalanta official said. “Koopmeiners has not been sold to Juve, nor anyone else. In fact, he never asked us to be sold.”

Teun KoopmeinersTeun Koopmeiners

Huge talent / Marco Luzzani/GettyImages

Koopmeiners’ form has led to plenty of speculation over his long term future in Bergamo, with 90min reporting that Liverpool were among the teams scouting the talented 26-year-old.

The player himself has previously acknowledged links with the Anfield giants: “I saw the links and stories about Liverpool. It’s nice to see.”

Speaking in a recent interview with De Telegraaf, Koopmeiners gave the biggest hint yet regarding where his future lies, revealing that he has told Atalanta that he intends to leave the club during the upcoming transfer window.

“I told Atalanta that next summer I want to leave,” he said. “Already last year there was a concrete interest from Napoli but in the end, the clubs couldn’t find an agreement.

“My girlfriend and I love life in Italy, but for some clubs in England, I’d be willing to tolerate the rain! I hope that options arise that I can reflect on. And I also hope that Atalanta receives a good sum, because I had a wonderful time in Bergamo.”

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