XABI ALONSO TURNS HEADS, DETAILS DECISION TO REJECT LIVERPOOL JOB

Xabi Alonso reveals he never considered replacing Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, explaining his past commitment to Bayer Leverkusen. The now-Real Madrid boss returns to Anfield for a Champions League clash against his former club.

Xabi Alonso turns heads, details decision to reject Liverpool job
Alonso clarifies his stance after Klopp announcement - Photo Credit: Getty Images

After Jurgen Klopp's unexpected departure, Xabi Alonso already acknowledged that he never considered taking over as manager of Liverpool. Klopp shocked the football community in January 2024 when he announced his intention to retire at the end of the current campaign.

With many possible candidates being hailed for the role, including Alonso as the clear favourite, this allowed the Reds ample opportunity to find a substitute for him. The Spaniard was strongly linked to the position because of his outstanding accomplishments with Bayer Leverkusen at the time and his reputation as a beloved character from his five years as a player there.

When Leverkusen played the Reds in the Champions League last year, Alonso made his comeback to Anfield. However, he had a difficult night as the defending Bundesliga winners were crushed 4-0, due to goals from Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz.

The 43-year-old clarified his dedication to Leverkusen before the game, addressing the earlier rumours that he was considering a position at Liverpool before Arne Slot's eventual hiring.

"I had a major deal with the Leverkusen players at the time, and we were extremely focused on that," Alonso stated. "I have watched Klopp do a lot of different things here, but I have also followed Slot.

"I am aware of his methodology, but when paired with the energy at Liverpool, they have a winning combination that explains their dominance in the Premier League and Champions League. The procedure functions incredibly well since they are really powerful in every area.

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"In just three months, the manager has performed admirably. They have a ton of choices, including Gakpo, Diaz, Tsimikas, Robertson, Szoboszlai, and Mac Allister.

Alonso ended speculation about his managerial future just two months after Klopp's announcement by announcing he would stay in Germany for the 24–25 season.

Since Thomas Tuchel was scheduled to depart his role at Bayern Munich last year, Alonso was also connected to the position. Speaking on his decision to stay at Leverkusen, he said at the time: "I am happy and I am sure it is the right choice. My future has been the subject of much conjecture.

We have played a lot of games up to this point, so we have been really busy and concentrated. I wanted to think things through and make a choice over the international break. The players' dedication, passion, and hunger for a successful season provided me with a lot of reasons to continue to believe in the club. This is not where my work ends.

After taking over for Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, another of his previous clubs, at the end of the previous season, Alonso finally left the German team. When his new team plays Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday, the former Reds midfielder will make his return to Anfield.

There will be other well-known faces returning to Merseyside besides Alonso. After leaving Liverpool in the summer, Trent Alexander-Arnold may play against his boyhood team for the first time.

Alexander-Arnold responded to a question about what he would do if he scored during the match by telling Prime Video Sport, "I would not celebrate if I scored.

Under Alonso, Real Madrid has had a fantastic start to the season. In the La Liga standings, Los Blancos are now five points ahead of Barcelona.

ALISSON "OPEN" TO LIVERPOOL EXIT AS JUVENTUS PREPARE MASSIVE SWAP DEAL OFFER

With Alisson Becker open to a Juventus move, Liverpool is scouring the market for a replacement ahead of a major summer rebuild.

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Juventus offer Alisson Becker a contract until 2028 - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Liverpool isn’t just sitting around; it’s actively searching for someone to take Alisson Becker’s spot since Juventus looks serious about making a bid for their veteran keeper. Even though Alisson’s got a year left on his deal after the club triggered an extension back in March, he might leave this summer.

He’s been Liverpool’s go-to guy in goal since he arrived from Roma in 2018; he’s played 332 games, cost £67 million, and for years, he was untouchable. But injuries have piled up during the 2025/26 season, and it’s starting to look like his time at Anfield could be coming to an end.

Juventus are now right in the mix. Apparently, Alisson isn’t against the idea of leaving Liverpool, and Juventus could even throw their own goalkeeper, Michele Di Gregorio, into the deal for the Brazilian.

Juve are ready to offer Alisson a contract running through the summer of 2028, with an extra year as an option. Sky Sports says Liverpool already knows what’s happening and is getting their ducks in a row before a massive transfer window.

The club’s facing a big summer. Salah and Robertson are going, and now they might need a new keeper too. Giorgi Mamardashvili has stepped up when Alisson was out, playing 18 games across all competitions, but he’s injured himself, leaving Slot with just Freddie Woodman as his only fit option.

Recently, Slot was asked if losing Alisson at the same time as Robertson and Salah would be too much. He said, “The club makes decisions it thinks are right. If this happens, there's a reason behind it, maybe another good reason why we did what we did.”

He pointed out that Liverpool doesn’t make transfers on a whim. Decisions are thought through, with the club’s interests always at heart.

Regarding keeping Alisson for his experience, Slot admitted that’s one argument, but there are others and, ultimately, the club will decide what’s best. Alisson’s contract still has a year left.

When pressed about Juventus, Slot replied, “Ali’s main focus is clear; he wants to get back in goal for Liverpool as soon as possible and then play for Brazil. That’s his short- and mid-term future.”

LIVERPOOL WARNED TO OFFER CURTIS JONES NEW CONTRACT BEFORE 14-MONTH DEADLINE

Analysis: Curtis Jones’ elite passing stats and why Jermaine Pennant believes Liverpool cannot afford to lose the versatile midfielder.

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Several European clubs are monitoring Curtis Jones as contract uncertainty grows at Anfield - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Liverpool really needs to sort out a new contract for Curtis Jones before they make the same mistake it did with Luis Diaz. That’s what the Inside Liverpool panel thinks, especially now that Diaz is lighting up Bayern Munich and making Liverpool’s transfer moves look pretty questionable.

Bayern’s front three, with Diaz in the mix, have racked up 100 goals across all competitions this season – the first time any non-Spanish team has done that. Diaz himself has bagged 26 goals in 46 matches and just scored against PSG in the Champions League semi-final.

Looking back, Liverpool probably wish they hadn’t let Diaz walk for £65 million last summer. Since then, fans at Anfield haven’t seen anyone who brings what he did: that relentless pressing, always looming as a threat on the counter. Sure, they’ve brought in Rio Ngumoha, a teenager, just 17, but Arne Slot, the coach, knows you can’t just expect him to fill those shoes right away.

On talkSPORT’s Inside Liverpool, Jermaine Pennant, who has played for the club, said that Liverpool has to bring in another proven attacker over the summer. Pennant’s point: Diaz was great whether he played in the middle or on the left, and Liverpool needs someone with that kind of flexibility. You don’t want to sign a backup like Hugo Ekitike and then end up overcrowding with too many strikers when the main guy returns.

Now, Jones could end up in the same boat this summer. There’s a lot of uncertainty around his future, and when you look at the numbers, he’s only got 14 months left on his contract. Several clubs in England and Europe are watching, and he’s only started 15 games for Liverpool this season.

Even though he hasn’t played much, Jones is impressing; he’s second only to Rodri in midfielder passes per 90 minutes in the Premier League. He’s also ranked second behind Moises Caicedo for passing accuracy, and right behind Rayan Cherki for carries. Pennant said the club can’t afford to let him go: Jones is so versatile; you can play him anywhere in midfield or even right back. He knows the club, loves it, and helps connect the squad.

Jones has been one of the top performers recently. Pennant thinks Liverpool should offer him a new deal, especially since the squad is thinning out and they’ve already lost Trent Alexander-Arnold. In the end, it’s up to Jones if he wants to stay or move for more game time, but Liverpool has to make the offer while they still can.

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