Xabi Alonso's return to Liverpool felt inevitable – behind the scenes, the reality was always different

Liverpool chose Andoni Iraola over Xabi Alonso, believing the Bournemouth manager's high-energy style better suited their identity than the former midfielder's proven track record.

When Jurgen Klopp announced his departure in January 2024, Xabi Alonso appeared the natural successor at Liverpool. Klopp himself endorsed the Basque coach, describing him as "standout" among the next generation of managers. Yet Liverpool never approached Alonso, who remained at Bayer Leverkusen despite Bayern Munich's public pursuit.

When Arne Slot was sacked in January, Alonso's sudden availability made him the obvious candidate once more—the "king over the water" many Liverpool fans wanted. But the club's hierarchy again declined to move. Instead, they appointed Andoni Iraola, Liverpool manager hired by former Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes. Liverpool believed Iraola's high-energy, chaotic approach—reminiscent of Klopp's methods—better represented the identity they wanted to project than Alonso's more structured, Carlo Ancelotti-influenced style.

Iraola and Alonso share a childhood friendship from their days at Antiguoko in San Sebastian and have the same agent. Both are now in the Premier League: Iraola at Liverpool, Alonso at Chelsea, where he will face his former club on Wednesday.