Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso is wanted by his former side – and here's why he wouldn't turn them down
(Image credit: DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso back at Anfield – it seems too perfect, doesn't it?
Alonso has been approached to succeed Jurgen Klopp in the Anfield dugout, according to reports, following flying form in the Bundesliga with the unfancied Bayer Leverkusen. Die Werkself find themselves in an unlikely title tussle with another of Alonso's former sides, Bayern Munich, who have won the previous 11 Meisterschale shields on the trot – while Leverkusen, in comparison, have never won the competition, remaining the only ever Champions League finalist to have never reigned supreme in their league.
Bayern are clearly a big draw to Alonso after his time in Bavaria under Pep Guardiola as a plaayer – and after luring the likes of Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel to the club after spells with German rivals, not to mention countless players, Die Roten will be monitoring Alonso closely.
Bayern are also believed to be interested in hiring Xabi Alonso (Image credit: Getty Images)
But Liverpool are a much bigger draw for Alonso – who admitted even after leaving Merseyside for Madrid that he was a Red, through and through.
“I am still a Liverpool fan and will be forever, absolutely,” Alonso told the Times Onlinein 2011. “The things that I have lived and the experiences I had during those five years are deep in my heart and the passion and respect I had for the club and its supporters are still the same.
“Hopefully I can transmit to my son what Liverpool Football Club means and how special it is, as he was born in the city and he will visit it in the future.”
Xabi Alonso has openly admitted he's a Liverpool fan after playing for the club for five years (Image credit: Getty Images)
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
