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."
Team AnalysisVietnam The two-legged finals include home and away games. Vietnam will be at home first, and they hope to grab the advantage in goal difference, with strong morale.Vietnamese naturalized forward Nguyen Xuan Son scored twice in the last game. He made his first cap for Vietnam in this ASEAN Championship, giving 5 goals and 2 assists in his three starting games so far, and he is leading...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Epl week 19 LOL When you spot it Show yourselves. Next match: Supercoppa Italiana Semi-Final: Juventus FC vs AC Milan. Cristiano Ronaldo has Scored 97 GOALS since the start of 2023! Bro Traveled with his Mom all the way from Mongolia to Old Trafford.. ... only to watch Manchester United drop another stinker and lose again. Gotta feel for him and all the Manchest...
Amorim admits Man Utd will NOT have money to spend in JanuaryRuben Amorim has revealed Manchester United will not have money to spend in the January transfer window despite the need for new signings.Speaking candidly to reporters on Monday night about the possibility of January transfers, Amorim stated, "We don't have that possibility in January. You know the situation better than I [do]. It's not...
Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has been called out by Jamie Carragher after claiming he encouraged Real Madrid to submit a bid for him in January.The Reds have reportedly turned down an attempt from Real Madrid to secure the services of the right-back in the January transfer window.Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has been called out by Jamie CarragherAlexander-Arnold will be free to n...
Man United star Antony could leave the Premier League club during the January transfer window, and the winger may be offered a way out by a La Liga team. The agent of Antony admitted that several clubs have made approaches for the Brazilian ahead of the January window as the 24-year-old looks for a way out of Old Trafford having fallen out of favour in Manchester.Ruben Amorim vowed to help Antony ...
Barcelona could lose Dani Olmo for the second half of the season after LaLiga said the Catalan club are not in a position to extend the Spain international's registration ahead of Tuesday's deadline.Olmo, 26, joined Barca in the summer and was granted a temporary registration until Dec. 31, giving Barca time to comply with the league's financial fair play rules and prolong his registration until t...
Newcastle's Trippier to be sold in JanuaryNewcastle United could sell Kieran Trippier with a January move abroad on the cards, three years after he first joined the club.Williams and Isak headline Arsenal shortlistNico Williams and Alexander Isak are both under consideration as Arsenal aim to sign a wide forward in January.Could Spurs cancel Werner's loan?Tottenham could cancel Timo Werner's loan ...
Team AnalysisBrentfordBrentford scored 12 goals in the last 5 home games with a great offense.Brentford ended 3 of the last 4 games with UNDER. The percentage of UNDER has rebounded.Brentford are seriously hit by injuries so far. Major goalkeeper Mark Flekken and defender Ben Mee are doubtful with injuries, while Sepp van den Berg and Ethan Pinnock are unavailable with injuries.Brentford drew 0-0 ...
Christopher Nkunku and Mikel Arteta (Photo by Alex Grimm, Julian Finney/Getty Images)Christopher Nkunku remains eager to leave Chelsea in the forthcoming January transfer window, sources have told CaughtOffside.The French attacker has been delegated a role in the club’s ‘B Team’ this campaign, leaving him frustrated. He has only featured in 326 minutes of Premier League action so...
Martin Zubimendi with the Spain national team.The 2024/25 campaign has not gone to plan for Man City and in order to salvage what they can of the season, the Premier League champions are looking to bring Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi to the Etihad. Pep Guardiola is currently facing a crisis that he has never experienced before in his managerial career as the Spaniard’s team sit fift...
