Xabi Alonso addresses decision to turn down Liverpool job

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·05 de novembro de 2024

Xabi Alonso addresses decision to turn down Liverpool job

Xabi Alonso returns to Anfield on Tuesday night as his Bayer Leverkusen side take on Liverpool in the Uefa Champions League.

The Spaniard is a fan favourite in the red half of Merseyside after playing a key role in winning this competition in 2005 during a brilliant five-year stint at the club.

Vídeos OneFootball

The 42-year-old could have been sat in the opposite dugout after being heavily linked with the Liverpool job after Jurgen Klopp decided to step down at the end of last season.

But Alonso made it clear early on that he had no intention of leaving the German outfit, who he guided to an undefeated Bundesliga and cup double before losing in the Europa League final to Atalanta.

Read – Five talking points ahead of the Champions League action

The former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder wasn’t keen to dwell on his decision to not pursue the vacancy at Liverpool in the summer ahead of the game.

“At the time I was focused on a big thing with Leverkusen,” he said in his pre-match press conference.

“Let’s talk about the game tomorrow, it’s more interesting than my future,” Alonso continued. “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.”

Read – Liverpool vs Leverkusen predicted lineup and team news