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

The return of Xabi Alonso to Liverpool was never a simple matter of nostalgia, as the player's career and reputation suggest. Alonso, a renowned long passer and midfielder with a knack for scoring from the halfway line, had already played for Liverpool, Bayer Leverkusen, Real Madrid, and Chelsea. Despite his contributions, his time at these clubs was not without its challenges; his Leverkusen team was beaten 4-0, and his Real Madrid side lost 1-0.

This backdrop of fluctuating fortunes and the desire to impress upon the club that he still possesses the ability to turn things around led to his decision to rejoin Liverpool. The coach he chose, Andoni Iraola, with whom he shares a friendship from their time together in the Basque country, may have been an ideal fit, given their contrasting coaching styles.

While Iraola's high-energy approach might better resonate with Liverpool's current identity, the fact remains that the decision was not driven by nostalgia but by the belief that Iraola could replicate the success Alonso achieved while playing and managing for the club.