Xabi Alonso has insisted that he was fully "focused" on his job at Bayer Leverkusen at the time he was linked with succeeding Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager.
As soon as Klopp announced his decision to end his legendary nine-year reign at Anfield, former Reds midfielder Alonso was tipped by many to replace the German.
However, it is understood that Liverpool were informed early in their search for a new manager that Alonso had no plans to parts ways with Leverkusen at the end of last season.
The 42-year-old was in charge of a Leverkusen outfit who enjoyed a historic 2023-24 campaign, winning the club's first-ever Bundesliga title and going the entire league season unbeaten, as well as winning the DFB-Pokal.
Leverkusen almost completed the treble, but their record-breaking 51-game unbeaten run across all competitions over a 361-day period was ended in the Europa League final by Atalanta BC, who won 3-0.
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Alonso addresses Liverpool managerial speculation
Alonso is now preparing for an emotional return to Anfield, where he spent five memorable years of his playing career between 2004 and 2009, as his Leverkusen side lock horns with Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The Spaniard, a 2005 Champions League winner with Liverpool, is looking forward to his return to the club on the touchline and has opened up on why he did not succeed Klopp.
"At the time I was focused on a big thing with Leverkusen," Alonso told reporters at his pre-match press conference. "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."
"It feels great to be back after a few years. It's always special," he added. "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.
"I am not thinking that much (about how he will be received). I am thinking more about how to prepare for the game. I might think about my memories when I go for a walk or a run tomorrow. I know the city, I love it and I still have friends here, but I don't have time for tourism."
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Slot: 'Alonso is special, that's clear'
Liverpool eventually plumped for Arne Slot to succeed Klopp and the Dutchman has made an exceptional start to life on Merseyside, becoming the club's first manager in history to win eight of his first 10 Premier League games in charge.
Slot, who sees his Liverpool side sitting top of the Premier League table, has heaped praise on Alonso for the transformative work that he has carried out at Leverkusen, telling reporters: "He is special, that's clear.
"If you go to a club that was bottom of the league and with the same players bring them all the way up without spending that much money, only bringing in one or two very good players, and then the season they had, only losing in the final of the Europa League, that tells you he is special.
"What it is that makes him special is difficult for me to say because I haven't faced him yet and I haven't worked with him.
"What might be the situation is that he's worked with very good managers in the past, he was a player with incredible insight in the game, he knew when to be where and he played at the highest level so he knows and understands how these players feel in certain moments. That probably contributes to what makes him a good manager."
Both Liverpool and Leverkusen are unbeaten after three Champions League games so far this season, with the latter currently on seven points and sitting sixth in the 36-team table, two points behind the former in second with a maximum nine points.
Oliver Thomas
