Xabi Alonso is back at Anfield - this is how close he really came to taking the Liverpool job (twice), and why he chose Chelsea instead

Alonso was Liverpool's favoured candidate when Klopp departed but ultimately chose Chelsea instead; the article explores how close he came to the Anfield job.

When Jurgen Klopp announced his departure in 2024, Xabi Alonso emerged as the bookmakers' favourite and the popular choice among Liverpool supporters to become the next manager. The article examines how close Alonso came to taking the Liverpool job on two separate occasions and why he ultimately decided to join Chelsea instead, passing up the opportunity to manage at Anfield.