Xabi Alonso had been linked with the Liverpool job after Jurgen Klopp announced his decision to step down as manager.
Xabi Alonso has revealed that he never seriously considered taking over the Liverpool job after Jurgen Klopp announced his departure earlier this year. He also believes that his Bayer Leverkusen team will be facing the best team in Europe when they clash with the Reds in the Champions League on Tuesday.
In March, Alonso declared that he would stay at BayArena for the foreseeable future. The Reds later confirmed Arne Slot as Klopp's successor after Richard Hughes, the sporting director, met with the then Feyenoord boss in April.
Ahead of Tuesday's European match at Anfield, Alonso stated that he was never a contender for the position at his old club. He said his focus at the time was solely on winning the Bundesliga with Leverkusen, a feat he accomplished without suffering a league defeat last season.
Alonso remarked on the unique blend present at Liverpool, saying: "I've seen a lot of different things Klopp implemented here but I have followed Slot too, I know his approach but it is combined with the intensity here at Liverpool, they have a nice mixture and that is why they are top of Premier League and Champions League.
"In all areas they are really strong, so the process works really well. The manager has done a fantastic job in three months. Gakpo, Diaz, Tsimikas, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; they have so many options. We have our plan and we will see what happens tomorrow for 90 minutes, we want to be competitive. We'll see."
Reflecting on returning to Anfield, Alonso expressed his excitement: "It feels great to be back after a few years to be back here. It's always special. You notice the development of the club, the new stands look pretty amazing.
"For sure tomorrow is a big game against Liverpool in a great moment, it cannot get much better than that and we are looking forward to it. Let's see, I am not thinking that much [how I will be received]. I am more thinking about how to prepare the game."
When asked about his own future, amid links to Real Madrid, Alosno replied: "Let's talk about the game tomorrow, it's more interesting than my future. Let's talk about the great players on both sides, that is what is in my head. For us it is a big challenge to come here.
"Liverpool at the moment is one of the best if not the best in Europe, they are showing that in a very strong Premier League and the Champions League. It's a good squad, good coach. At Anfield, it's a big challenge. We're looking forward to it, let's see what happens."
Discussing the emotions accompanying his return to his old stomping ground, Alonso shared: "We will see, I will tell you after the game how I feel. There will be a moment for everything but the main thing is not me.
"It's the players, how we deal with the emotions you have in this stadium, they are in a good moment. For us, this challenge against one of the best teams in Europe at Anfield is a great challenge, we have to show our best football, there will be a great energy. Let's see tomorrow and we can talk after the game."
As for his plans outside of football in the city he knows well, Alonso remarked, "I don't have enough time [for tourism]. Maybe tomorrow I will take a little walk or a run but there is no time for tourism. I know the city very well, I loved it but tomorrow I will focus on the game and only the game."
Reflecting on past glories, the Spaniard shared: "It won't be very original I guess, but even after almost 20 years, winning the Champions League, they remind me and us of that, for that night, that miracle and that was the beginning of something great that we started that year.
"What we did against that Milan side was fantastic memories. I talked a little bit about it but not too much because I like to talk about our thing more now. But, for sure, Istanbul is the iconic moment for me."
Liverpool are reportedly ready to make a slightly risky transfer decision this summer and sell a key first-team player if they receive offers in the region of €55m.The player in question is Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, with Empire of the Kop reporting that his Anfield future could be in some doubt.The report names Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Wolves as being among the suitors for Jota...
Chelsea are weighing up a summer move for Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.Blues management remain unconvinced by their keeper options, with Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen both struggling for consistency this season.That's according to Chelsea insider Si Phillips, who also told Tribalfootball.com that Mike Penders (Genk) and Djordje Petrovic (Strasbourg) also have doubts swirling around ...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Fulham 3-2 Liverpool Thank god its over! Find Messi The most unhyped Manchester Derby ever. lol This WE WANT OUR MONEY BACK Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, FootballLaughss, PL__OOC)...
Real Madrid attacker Rodrygo Goes has been identified as a potential replacement for the Egyptian international. According to a report from Fichajes, Liverpool are ready to break their transfer record in order to sign the Brazilian international. They would be willing to submit a club-record offer of around €140 million for the striker.The report states that Liverpool could make progress in ...
Ex-Liverpool star questions secrecy around Trent's transfer to MadridFormer Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann has questioned the club's stance on maintaining secrecy over Trent Alexander-Arnold's future.Speaking to PokerScout, Hamann said: "If Trent Alexander-Arnold is going to leave Liverpool, I don't know why he and the club haven't come out to explain the situation. I'd be very surprised if h...
Liverpool are reportedly eyeing a move for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding Virgil van Dijk's future.Van Dijk, 33, is one of three key Liverpool players who are out of contract at the end of the season, alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah.According to Spanish outlet Relevo, Arne Slot’s side are planning for a future without their current ca...
Premier League leaders Liverpool are going to have a busy summer transfer window.The Reds are currently working on new contracts for players like Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah while also preparing for the departure of right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.Players like Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz are also facing an uncertain future at Anfield and could be replaced after this season.The Merseyside cl...
Antony reveals he is uncertain he will stay at Real BetisAntony says joining Real Betis is the "best decision" he has made, but the Brazilian winger is unsure if he will stay beyond the end of this season.Speaking to reporters, the Manchester United loanee said: "I'm very happy here, but it's still too early to decide. I found myself, I needed to find myself, I needed to be happy, and I needed my ...
Davide Frattesi grabbed a late winner as Inter Milan snatched a 2-1 victory in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Bayern Munich.Frattesi turned in from close range two minutes from time at the Allianz Arena just moments after veteran Thomas Muller looked to have rescued a draw for the hosts.Muller had come off the bench to cancel out Lautaro Martinez’s superb first-half...
Millenic Alli netted a vital stoppage-time strike as Luton rescued a late point in their fight against the drop in a 1-1 Championship draw against relegation-rivals Stoke.Lewis Baker’s free-kick put the hosts on course for three points at the bet365 Stadium, but Hatters substitute Alli struck in the first minute of second-half added time to ensure the spoils were shared.The result ensures St...
- 1 Aaron Collins scores against former club as Bolton beat Bristol Rovers
- 2 Alan Sheehan happy to grind out win over Derby
- 3 Leaders Liverpool’s 26-match unbeaten Premier League run ended in Fulham defeat
- 4 Five draws in a row for Gillingham as points shared with Salford
- 5 Beckham wants De Bruyne to play with Messi
- 6 Ronaldo's view on whether Messi has settled the GOAT debate for good
- 7 Notts County boss Stuart Maynard delighted with ‘vital’ victory against MK Dons
- 8 Daily Laugh - EPL Week 31
- 9 Marcus Rashford scores first Premier League goal for Villa in win at Brighton
- 10 Pep Guardiola: Man Utd supporters should be ashamed after Phil Foden chants