liverpool expect xabi alonso to stay at bayer leverkusen this summer and are to consider other candidates to replace managerjurgen klopp. the 42—year—old spaniard has been heavily linked with the role at anfield ever since klopp said he will stand down. bayern munich were also after alonso to replace thomas tuchel, but it looks like he's staying put with leverkusen, who are on the brink of a first bundesliga title. european football expert kevin hatchard isn't totally surprised by the decision. i think it was always a possibility that he would lean toward staying at bayer leverkusen for at least one more season, but i did feel that the lure of liverpool as a former player, a very successful former liverpool player, would be too strong. it's clear that liverpool wanted him, that he was on their list, not the only name, but very

much on that list, and so i wondered whether that would be too strong a leader, but it seems like he is going to be pragmatic about it, he will stay there and you can understand that. he has built something incredible. barren leather case and are having a season for the ages, they are well on course to win their first—ever bundesliga title, they are in the semifinals of the german cup, as well, and the quarterfinals of the europa league. he is building something very, very impressive. he is building something very, very impressive-— he is building something very, very imressive. ., ., , impressive. liverpool are now being aned impressive. liverpool are now being linked to a grow) — impressive. liverpool are now being linked to a group and _ impressive. liverpool are now being linked to a group and amarin. - impressive. liverpool are now being| linked to a group and amarin. would that be a good _ linked to a group and amarin. would that be a good faith? _ linked to a group and amarin. would that be a good faith? i _ linked to a group and amarin. would that be a good faith? i have - linked to a group and amarin. would that be a good faith? i have a - linked to a group and amarin. would that be a good faith? i have a lot - that be a good faith? i have a lot of respect for him. he has done a greatjob with sporting. they have won the portuguese title and are in the mix to do that again. he has had success in europe, knocking arsenal out of the europa league last

season. there will always be an element of risk moving from the portuguese league to the premier league, but he is certainly a good tactical mind and is someone i can understand why liverpool are considering.— understand why liverpool are considerinu. ., ., ., considering. what now for bayern munich, considering. what now for bayern munich. who _ considering. what now for bayern munich, who will _ considering. what now for bayern munich, who will they _ considering. what now for bayern munich, who will they look- considering. what now for bayern munich, who will they look at - considering. what now for bayern l munich, who will they look at now? they will fish in similar waters to liverpool to some extent. i think roberto de zerbi would be a coach of interest to both of them. the austrian head coach has also been talked about. he knows the bundesliga very well. bayern is a big draw. there is even being talk of gillian eggleston making a spectacular return there, which will be out when they dismissed him partway through last season. i wouldn't need to clearly rule him out in terms of the liverpooljob, as well. he is a name that would

come under consideration. the german fa would like to keep him in the long term as the germany boss because there were certainly signs in the recent international break that he is having on the right direction with germany ahead of those whom euros. direction with germany ahead of those whom euros. danielle collins, who is set to retire at the end of the season, reached her first ever wta 1000 final by easing past ekaterina alexandrova in straight sets at the miami 0pen. collins continued her run at the tournament of not dropping a set since the opening set of her opening match in miami as she beat alexandrova 6—3, 6—2. the american hit 21 winners as she eased to victory in 75 minutes. she will face elena rybakina in the final, after she beat viktoria azarenka in three sets. carlos alcaraz says he was made to feel like a "13—year—old" by grigor dimitrov after being beaten in the quarterfinals of the miami 0pen. dimitrov was superb in beating alcararz in straight sets. he broke him in his first

service game, and again, to take the first set 6—2. he won the second 6—4 and will face alex zverev in the semifinals, after he beat fabian marozsan. alcaraz was full of praise for dimitrov. i think he played an amazing game of tennis. almost perfect. if i can say perfect. i couldn't find a couldn't find the way to make him feel uncomfortable on the court. andy murray will miss april's clay court monte carlo masters and the bmw open in munich following a consultation with medical experts. he injured his ankle in miami ahead of what looks like his last summer in the sport. at this stage, there is no timescale on when he will return, but he has reiterated his desire to get back on court as soon as possible.

scottie scheffler�*s bid to become the first player to win three consecutive pga tour events for seven years started impressively with a bogey—free 65 during the opening round at the houston 0pen. scheffler is also on an incredible run of 28 consecutive rounds under par, which the tour has confirmed is the most on record since 1983. he has also gone 49 holes without making a bogey. he is a shot off the lead which isjointly held by taylor moore and wilson furr, who both finished the day on six—under par. that's all the sport for now.

there are long queues of motorists waiting to board ferries at dover as the easter getaway begins. the ferry service dfds says there are delays because of high winds in the channel. rail travellers are also being urged to check their plans in advance. it's notjust ports, roads and trains which are busy this easter. airports and airlines are expecting passenger numbers to return to pre—pandemic levels. earlier i was joined by our transport correspondent katy austin and host of the bbc travel show — carmen roberts. carmen told me about the issues faceing travellers in dover. it is not a good start for many holiday makers. about 20,000 cars are expected to get through dover this easter weekend. if you look on social media, holiday—makers are saying they have arrived at the port at 2am or 3am and it has taken them up at 2am or 3am and it has taken them up to three hours to get checked in, only to find that their ferry is delayed, so these ferries crossing the channel overnight have been

buffeted by winds of up to 80 mph from storm nelson, so it is not a good start. i from storm nelson, so it is not a good start-— from storm nelson, so it is not a noodstart. , ,, , good start. i suppose because it is the holiday — good start. i suppose because it is the holiday season, _ good start. i suppose because it is the holiday season, those - good start. i suppose because it is the holiday season, those ferries i the holiday season, those ferries are packed with people so any little delay and suddenly you have all that traffic queueing on the motorway is trying to get to dover.— trying to get to dover. that's riuht. trying to get to dover. that's riht. it trying to get to dover. that's right- it is — trying to get to dover. that's right- it is a _ trying to get to dover. that's right. it is a huge _ trying to get to dover. that's right. it is a huge knock-on l trying to get to dover. that's - right. it is a huge knock-on effect. right. it is a huge knock—on effect. 0n social media at the port of dover is saying to expect queues of up to 90 minutes, but clearly motorists would beg to differ. ferry companies are also taking to social media to say, listen, if you missed your ferry, we will put you on the next available one. it ferry, we will put you on the next available one.— ferry, we will put you on the next available one. it would be awful if ou available one. it would be awful if you missed _ available one. it would be awful if you missed your— available one. it would be awful if you missed your easter _ available one. it would be awful if you missed your easter break. - available one. it would be awful if- you missed your easter break. people are travelling this easter though? yes, more than ever. i think there seems to be more confidence. i suppose it is a hangover from seems to be more confidence. i suppose it is a hangoverfrom covid when we couldn't travel and there are statistics to show that even

though it is a cost of living crisis, people are setting aside money to invest in holidays. let’s money to invest in holidays. let's no to money to invest in holidays. let's go to manchester— money to invest in holidays. let's go to manchester airport - money to invest in holidays. let's go to manchester airport and katie austen. we have been talking about the fairies, but what is it looking like in terms of the airlines? the ast like in terms of the airlines? the past couole _ like in terms of the airlines? the past couole of — like in terms of the airlines? the past couple of years it has been really _ past couple of years it has been really difficult for airlines and asp -- — really difficult for airlines and asp —— and airports. there was covid, — asp —— and airports. there was covid, staff— asp —— and airports. there was covid, staff shortages, air traffic control_ covid, staff shortages, air traffic control problems, so they were really _ control problems, so they were really hoping for a good year this yeah _ really hoping for a good year this yeah in — really hoping for a good year this year. in terms of passenger numbers, they looked _ year. in terms of passenger numbers, they looked really strong. the demand — they looked really strong. the demand is clearly there. at manchester airport they think it could _ manchester airport they think it could he — manchester airport they think it could be their busiest ever easter weekend, — could be their busiest ever easter weekend, helped by the fact that easter_ weekend, helped by the fact that easter falls pretty early this year and that— easter falls pretty early this year and that means that a lot of schools are breaking up at the same time and it makes_ are breaking up at the same time and it makes it _ are breaking up at the same time and it makes ita— are breaking up at the same time and it makes it a really big getaway. they— it makes it a really big getaway. they think— it makes it a really big getaway. they think the numbers they will be

about_ they think the numbers they will be about 320,000 passengers coming through— about 320,000 passengers coming through manchester over the long weekend, 8% up on last year. it is interesting — weekend, 8% up on last year. it is interesting were carmen was saying, there _ interesting were carmen was saying, there is— interesting were carmen was saying, there is demand for travel despite there is demand for travel despite the cost _ there is demand for travel despite the cost of— there is demand for travel despite the cost of living pressures and one travel _ the cost of living pressures and one travel age _ the cost of living pressures and one travel age group said that bookings for the _ travel age group said that bookings for the easter holidays as a whole are up— for the easter holidays as a whole are up 9%~ — for the easter holidays as a whole are up 9%. so even prices have gone up, are up 9%. so even prices have gone up, more _ are up 9%. so even prices have gone up, more people are going. the big question— up, more people are going. the big question is— up, more people are going. the big question is with the number so high, with those _ question is with the number so high, with those volumes returning, will the system hold up? there has been a lot of— the system hold up? there has been a lot of focus— the system hold up? there has been a lot of focus in — the system hold up? there has been a lot of focus in the industry on resilience, _ lot of focus in the industry on resilience, making sure everyone talks _ resilience, making sure everyone talks to _ resilience, making sure everyone talks to each other, they have the right— talks to each other, they have the right staff, — talks to each other, they have the right staff, communication. i have been_ right staff, communication. i have been asking the boss of manchester airport _ been asking the boss of manchester airport what the airport and their partners — airport what the airport and their partners have done to make sure things— partners have done to make sure things go— partners have done to make sure things go smoothly. we are working closeiy— things go smoothly. we are working closely with the airlines and the air traffic— closely with the airlines and the air traffic control services to make sure we _ air traffic control services to make sure we are — air traffic control services to make sure we are reallyjoined up. we have _ sure we are reallyjoined up. we have 100 — sure we are reallyjoined up. we have 100 people in the resilience

team _ have 100 people in the resilience team ready to respond to any issues? do you _ team ready to respond to any issues? do you have _ team ready to respond to any issues? do you have extra staff on? yes, team ready to respond to any issues? do you have extra staff on?— do you have extra staff on? yes, we do. if ou do you have extra staff on? yes, we do- if you think _ do you have extra staff on? yes, we do. if you think about _ do you have extra staff on? yes, we do. if you think about security, - do. if you think about security, 100% _ do. if you think about security, 100% of— do. if you think about security, 100% of people _ do. if you think about security, 100% of people in— do. if you think about security, 100% of people in february- do. if you think about security, - 100% of people in february queued for less— 100% of people in february queued for less than — 100% of people in february queued for less than 15— 100% of people in february queued for less than 15 minutes _ 100% of people in february queued for less than 15 minutes and - 100% of people in february queued for less than 15 minutes and we - 100% of people in february queued for less than 15 minutes and we are expecting _ for less than 15 minutes and we are expecting that _ for less than 15 minutes and we are expecting that performance - for less than 15 minutes and we are expecting that performance this . expecting that performance this weekend — expecting that performance this weekend i— expecting that performance this weekend. .., expecting that performance this weekend. .. ., ., , , weekend. i came through lanterns set back race just — weekend. i came through lanterns set back race just before _ weekend. i came through lanterns set back race just before six _ weekend. i came through lanterns set back race just before six o'clock - back race just before six o'clock this morning at the queues for the eurostar were very large. people will be heading on the trains, as well. ., ., �* , will be heading on the trains, as well. . ., �* , ., well. yeah, that's right. not everybody — well. yeah, that's right. not everybody flies _ well. yeah, that's right. not everybody flies overseas - well. yeah, that's right. not everybody flies overseas to l well. yeah, that's right. not i everybody flies overseas to get well. yeah, that's right. not - everybody flies overseas to get some sun, people travel within the uk were _ sun, people travel within the uk were on— sun, people travel within the uk were on the eurostar across to europe _ were on the eurostar across to europe to — were on the eurostar across to europe to visit friends and family orjust _ europe to visit friends and family orjust get — europe to visit friends and family orjust get away. there is a fly on the element over the easter weekend in that— the element over the easter weekend in that network rail tends to do a lot of— in that network rail tends to do a lot of engineering works at this time _ lot of engineering works at this time and — lot of engineering works at this time and that is the case again this time and that is the case again this time round — time and that is the case again this time round. 0ne time and that is the case again this time round. one big example, not the only example, but a big example is

that london euston railway station is pretty— that london euston railway station is pretty much closed today, apart from _ is pretty much closed today, apart from london 0verground services, the local trains _ from london 0verground services, the local trains in — from london 0verground services, the local trains in london. that will have _ local trains in london. that will have quite _ local trains in london. that will have quite a big impact. if you are going _ have quite a big impact. if you are going to _ have quite a big impact. if you are going to take the train, it is definitely a weekend to check before you travei~ _ definitely a weekend to check before ou travel. ., definitely a weekend to check before ou travel. . ., , ., definitely a weekend to check before ou travel. . . , ., ~ , hello. given what we've had recently, the weather this easter weekend is actually all right for this stage in march. 0k, plenty of showers around today, some of those in the heavy side, but the weekend, saturday, sunday, fewer showers around. the north looking dry on monday too, but we will see more persistent rain return across some southern areas. here we go, the details through the next few days. 0ut there at the moment showers developing quite widely, england, wales, northern ireland and returning to southern scotland after the departure of this morning's rain. the northern half of scotland, though, fewer showers, lightest winds here and, wherever you are, temperatures up a little bit on yesterday — ten to 1a degrees. around bang on average for where we should be for this stage in the year.

as you go through this evening and overnight, we will see some showers continue in scotland and into the west, but many of you will be dry, lengthier clear skies. it's going to be chilly tonight. even though temperatures lifting by day, the nights still quite cool. we could see a touch of frost in one or two spots to start your saturday morning. but for saturday, the area of low pressure, which is the focus for showers, actually drifting a bit further westwards, so we will see fewer showers, lighter winds, but we have to watch for this weather front moving northwards out of france and belgium. it could bring a cloudy day to east anglia and the far south—east and even some rain at times in coastal districts. showers heaviest out towards the west through saturday, so the far south—west of england, south—west wales, northern ireland. a rumble of thunder can't be ruled out. but much of scotland, england and wales will see isolated showers, which mean more of you will spend the bulk, if not all day, dry and feeling pleasant enough in the sunshine with light winds. a chilly night will follow. of course, as we go through into sunday morning, easter sunday morning, the clocks will have gone forward an hour, so the evenings will be lighter, the mornings a little bit darker to begin with.

not a bad start, though. a lot of dry weather around. there will be some showers in the west to begin with and more will develop through the day, heavy, thundery towards the south—west, but many of you again will spend the bulk, if not all the day, dry. temperatures 1a, 15 degrees in western scotland and through parts of central england too. as you go through into monday, this is where low pressure develops again towards the south. exact details may change a little bit, so i'd keep across the forecast, but it does look like across southern counties of england, south wales, the potentialfor some longer spells of rain again. away from that, cloud and a cool breeze down some north sea coasts, but to the north and west the best of your easter monday sunshine. whatever you have planned, enjoy. take care.

live from london, this is bbc news. the syrian government blames israel for deadly air strikes near the city of aleppo,

which killed at least 42 people. following warnings of famine in gaza, the un's top court has ordered israel to enable the unhindered flow of aid into the territory. rishi sunak faces criticism after giving a knighthood to a donor who gave the conservative party £5 million. it's one year since the wall streetjournal reporter evan gershkovich was detained in russia on charges of spying. we'll hear from his sister. and beyonce is back with herfirst ever country album. hello, i'm annita mcveigh, welcome to bbc news now, three hours of fast—moving news, interviews and reaction. we begin in the middle east, where israel is reported to have

carried out air strikes in syria.