Xabi Alonso took centre stage at Anfield elegantly, considered his options and switched play in an instant. Had the ball been at his feet it would have felt as if he had never been away, but it was on the subject of succeeding Jürgen Klopp as Liverpool manager where the club's former midfielder showed the deftest of touches.
Alonso was back with Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool's opponents in the Champions League tonight, 15 years after ending a playing chapter in his career synonymous with style, Istanbul and an intuitive rapport with Steven Gerrard. He could have been back sooner had Liverpool received any encouragement he might have been in the market for a new job this summer. It was not a possibility he entertained at the time nor was keen to revisit at his pre-match press conference last night.
"At the time I was focused on a big thing with Leverkusen," said the man who has transformed the German club's fortunes and was the popular choice to succeed Klopp this year before Arne Slot took it and hit the ground running.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 05, 2024 من The Guardian.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 05, 2024 من The Guardian.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Rise lays bare the risks ahead for Labour
Any lingering hope that the Bank of England might deliver a pre-Christmas interest rate cut next month evaporated yesterday after official data showed inflation jumped to 2.3% in October.
'My way as a manager was taught by Bobby Robson'
George Burley is enjoying Ipswich's revival having reached great heights there more than 20 years ago
Tuchel takes goalkeeping coach Hilario from Chelsea
Thomas Tuchel's backroom staff has been bolstered by the addition of Henrique Hilario, who is ending his 18-year association with Chelsea to become England JS new goalkeeping coach.
Kosovo to take Uefa to Cas after Romania awarded points
Kosovo are preparing an appeal to the court of arbitration for sport (Cas) after Uefa handed them a 3-O defeat for walking off the field during Friday's Nations League tie against Romania in Bucharest, which was eventually abandoned when they elected not to return.
Staying power No relegation break clause in Guardiola's new City contract
Pep Guardiola's new one-year contract with Manchester City does not contain a break clause should the club be relegated from the Premier League if found guilty of financial wrongdoing by an independent commission.
Lopetegui's future to be decided in next two games
Julen Lopetegui is facing two make-or-break games at West Ham, who have used the international break to explore potential replacements.
City's empire faces a set of challenges that will test Guardiola's genius
After signing deal, manager is left with an ageing squad as threat of Premier League punishment looms large
Curry changing his technique to avoid more concussions
England are making changes to Tom Curry's all-action technique to ensure his safety after he returned to the fold for Sunday's clash with Japan following his latest concussion.
Sacking me won't help Wales, insists Gatland in plea for patience
The last rites, if that is what they are, are going to drag on a while longer yet. Warren Gatland has reiterated that he would resign as head coach if it were \"in the best interests of Welsh rugby\", while also making it Very clear that in his opinion it is not.
Bronze takes 65 seconds to fire Chelsea into last eight
Chelsea cruised into the knockout stages of the Champions League with two games to spare at Stamford Bridge.
