Share this @internewscast.com

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has revealed Xabi Alonso’s comments that irked him just before he joined Anfield in 2004 – but explained why he still believes the Spaniard would be a ‘match made in heaven’ as the club’s next manager.

Alonso is the frontrunner to succeed Jurgen Klopp in the dugout after the German announced he would end his nine-year reign on Merseyside at the end of the season.

The former Liverpool midfielder is favoured for the role after winning admirers with the incredible work he is doing at Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. 

And Carragher – who was a team-mate of Alonso’s for five years – provided an anecdote that left Liverpool players fuming – but one that he feels may demonstrate why the Spaniard could be a great coach and a motivating figure.

Jamie Carragher has revelaed Xabi Alonso's comments that irked him before he joined Liverpool in 2004

Alonso is now being tipped as the next Liverpool boss

Jamie Carragher has revelaed Xabi Alonso’s comments that irked him before he joined Liverpool in 2004 amid rumours he could become the next Reds boss

Carragher said Alonso arrived at Anfield claiming he saw areas of improvement in the team

Carragher said Alonso arrived at Anfield claiming he saw areas of improvement in the team

He revealed a chat with then-manager Rafa Benitez, who had spoken to the squad about Alonso’s impending arrival after he agreed a move from Real Sociedad. 

He told The Redmen YouTube channel: ‘I remember Rafa saying – and don’t forget Xabi was only 22 – “We’ve got this player coming in, I think he’s a fantastic player. He’s already spoken about where the team can improve, other tactical things”. 

‘And I’m reading this thinking, “Who the f***ing hell does he think he is? 22, coming over from Spain, telling us where we’re going wrong. F***ing let’s see you in the shirt first!”‘

Carragher said Alonso made it clear he was ‘interested in football’ at multiple levels and claimed the ex-Real Madrid man showed he ‘had his head screwed on’.  

“We used to speak a lot about football, he added. ‘He [Alonso] was always someone who was interested in football and he did watch a lot of football.” 

Alonso is seen as the frontrunner for the Liverpool job after leading Bayer Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga this season - with his side unbeaten

Alonso is seen as the frontrunner for the Liverpool job after leading Bayer Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga this season – with his side unbeaten

‘I remember Nottingham Forest were in the Championship and had a player called Kris Commons. I remember [Alonso] saying he liked him and watched him. I thought “he’s a player in the Championship”. That always stuck in my head. He was always one that people looked at and thought “he’s got his head screwed on”.

‘He led by example, he trained really well. A big part of being a manager is keeping your emotions in control. People thought I would become a manager but I was quite emotional and aggressive on the pitch, whereas [Alonso] was a lot calmer. 

He knows what Liverpool fans wants and once that energy in the crowd gets going, if he was to become the manager, I do think it would be a match made in heaven. 

‘It’s only whether Alonso wants to stay at Leverkusen and take them in to the Champions League. He’s only managed 60 or 70 games at the top level which is ideally not what you would want. But the situation you find yourself in, he is the stand out candidate.’ 

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Ex-Man United Player Skips Training Due to Dispute with Brazilian Club Over Unpaid Bonuses, Owed £625,000

A former Manchester United star has seemingly found himself embroiled in a…

Why Conor McGregor Hasn’t Tied the Knot with Longtime Partner Dee Devlin After 16 Years Amid New Allegations and Cheating Scandal

Conor McGregor has offered up a variety of reasons for why he…

Noni Madueke Poised to Become Chelsea’s Sixth Player Transfer to Arsenal in Seven Years: Will the Blues Profit Again After Earning £142m from Past Deals?

The London pipeline from Chelsea to Arsenal continues. It centres on a…

Leaked Images Reveal Argentina’s New Home Jersey for 2026 World Cup

The reigning champions, Argentina, are preparing to defend their World Cup title…

Conor McGregor Speaks Out With Unusual Post Amid Azealia Banks’ ‘Nudes’ Claims and Cheating Allegations

Conor McGregor broke his silence online amid controversy Monday evening to share…

Birmingham City’s Ambitious Premier League Return: Outmaneuvering Top Clubs for Talent, Tech Experts from Facebook and Microsoft, and a £2 Billion Masterplan to Leave Competitors Behind

Cristiano Ronaldo’s exceptional career has been driven by his unwavering commitment to…

Jordan Henderson makes a surprise comeback to the Premier League, joining a new club on a free transfer after leaving Ajax early and ending his challenging stint in Saudi Arabia.

Jordan Henderson is set to sign for Brentford after his early release…

Cristiano Ronaldo Museum Launches in Hong Kong Amid Great Excitement

Cristiano Ronaldo has expanded his influence globally with the inauguration of the…

Leaked: Barcelona’s Mamba 2025/26 Away Kit Pays Tribute to Kobe Bryant

Barcelona’s 2025/26 away kit is expected to launch in the coming weeks,…

Liverpool’s Six Alternative Striker Options if Alexander Isak Deal Falls Through – Includes Surprise Premier League Name, Aston Villa Pursues Man United Player, and Arsenal Competes for EFL Talent in Transfer Update

LIVERPOOL have explored moves for a number of high-profile centre forwards over…

Inside Tom Brady’s Impact in Birmingham: The Motivational Speech That Defeated Wrexham, His Innovative Training Regimen, and Wedding Day Phone Calls

The ping of a smartphone is perhaps the most familiar sound in…