Xabi Alonso: ‘It feels special to be back in Liverpool but it’s a big challenge’

Alonso took up his first senior managerial position in October 2022 with Leverkusen in the relegation zone. The 42-year-old led the club to their first Bundesliga title 18 months later.

Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.

Xabi Alonso took centre stage at Anfield elegantly, considered his options and switched play in an instant. Had the ball been at his feet it would have felt as if he had never been away, but it was on the subject of succeeding Jürgen Klopp as Liverpool manager where the club’s former midfielder showed the deftest of touches.

Alonso was back with Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool’s opponent in the Champions League on Tuesday night, 15 years after ending a playing chapter in his career synonymous with style, Istanbul and an intuitive rapport with Steven Gerrard. He could have been back sooner had Liverpool received any encouragement he might have been in the market for a new job this summer. It was not a possibility he entertained at the time or was keen to revisit at his pre-match press conference on Monday.