Xabi Alonso hits back at Paul Merson over Liverpool suggestion

Xabi Alonso has hit back at Paul Merson after the former Arsenal star suggested the Spaniard may regret snubbing Liverpool and Bayern Munich.

Alonso was widely tipped to take over at Anfield from the moment Jurgen Klopp announced he was leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.

However, last month the Bayer Leverkusen manager publicly said he would stay with the German outfit for another year.

Several pundits were surprised by Alonso’s decision, including Merson, who suggested that such opportunities "might never come again" for the 2010 World Cup winner.

Upon Merson’s comments being put to Alonso, the 42-year-old insisted he was “convinced” remaining at Leverkusen was the right decision.

"Everyone is responsible for their own decisions," Alonso told AS.

"I hope my decision to stay is the right one, I'm convinced it will be the right one. I'm enjoying the moment and, of course, I want to keep improving. Paul Merson will have made decisions that I don't value, mine is this."

Reflecting on the season so far, with Leverkusen having already won the Bundesliga and hoping to still pick up the Europa League and the German Cup, Alonso added: "I am very happy with the follow-up we are getting from Spain.

"The season has been fantastic, not only because of the results but because of the way of playing. That attracts in Spain and also in many parts of Europe. It makes the club grow and have a more global following.

Alonso hit back at Merson's comments (Getty)

"It's important for everyone. Being part of this and having participated in the process makes me happy. But we don't want to stop."

Speaking last month, Merson told Sky Sports: "You've got to make hay while the sun shines in management, and you're talking about two of the biggest jobs in world football. They might never come again.

"I don't see Bayer Leverkusen winning the league again next year, I think Bayern the juggernaut will continue where they've been the last 10 years. I'm shocked. I can understand he's probably happy with what he's doing, he's getting great accolades and rightly so, but these come along once in a blue moon.

"I just hope he doesn't regret this. I know what management's like, everyone gets the sack in the end. They're two of the biggest jobs in the world of football."

Topics: Xabi Alonso, Paul Merson, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen, Bundesliga, Europa League

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.