Liverpool manager Klopp understands Xabi staying with Bayer Leverkusen

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has defended Xabi Alonso's decision to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.

Given Klopp is leaving the Anfield club in the summer, Alonso was touted as a replacement.

However, he has chosen to reject both the Reds and Bayern Munich to remain at Bayer for now.

Klopp told a press conference on Friday: "A young manager being at a club that is doing really well, I was in a similar situation [at Mainz], I did pretty much the same.

I never regretted it. That's pretty much everything I can say about Xabi.

"He's doing an incredible job there. Leverkusen has a good team and will probably keep their team together [in the summer transfer window].

That's possible. It's not in all years like that. I understand that he wants to do that. For the other stuff, I have nothing to say about it to be honest."