Alonso: 'I love Liverpool but I don't have time for tourism'

Hero of Istanbul quickly revitalised Leverkusen and returns to Anfield after being linked with manager's job

- Andy Hunter

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.