“I didn’t reject Liverpool” — Xabi Alonso clears air

Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has cleared the air on the narratives that circulated around him and Liverpool last season.

Following the heat of Jurgen Klopp departing the Reds as manager at the end of the 2023/24 campaign, the Spaniard emerged as the front runner to replace Klopp in the managerial role.

However, prior to the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, Xabi Alonso made a public statement turning down the move to Merseyside, opting instead to remain at Bayer Leverkusen than return to his former club.

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Xabi Alonso would ultimately go on to lead Bayer Leverkusen to a double of the Bundesliga title and the Super Cup while remaining unbeaten till the end of the season. Leverkusen’s only defeated came courtesy of an Ademola Lookman spectacle in the Europa League final to end Bayer’s unbeaten streak.

Now back at his former club at Anfield with Bayer Leverkusen to face Liverpool in the Champions League, the former Real Madrid star had some explaining to do about the ‘rejection’.

Xabi Alonso explains he never fully got to negotiate with Liverpool or Bayer Leverkusen about a possible exit as he was focused on winning the Bundesliga with Leverkusen.

“I saw the links… but at that time I was focused on winning the league,” he admitted.

While Liverpool’s fans were left wondering what might have been, the Reds ultimately appointed Arne Slot, who has kept them at the top of the Premier League after ten games. As Alonso gears up to face Liverpool in the Champions League, his decision may have been just what both clubs needed to stay at the top of their game.