Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso is gearing up for a return to Anfield. His team will go head-to-head with Liverpool in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
This will mark Alonso's third visit to the home of the Reds as a manager. In 2024, he suffered a heavy defeat here with Bayer Leverkusen, losing 0-4, and the following year, he faced another loss while at Real Madrid.
As a player, Alonso spent five years with Liverpool, lifting the Champions League and FA Cup during his time at the club. This summer, he was viewed as a potential candidate for the Liverpool managerial position after the departure of Arne Slot, but opted for Chelsea instead. His close friend Andoni Iraola now manages the Merseyside club.
Ahead of the match, Alonso shared his thoughts in an interview on the club's official website.
I need to support my team. I need to support my club. I fight for my club, and if we score, I will celebrate, but with respect for the opponent because my connection with Liverpool hasn’t gone away. Right now, I have a different role.
He went on to say that his past disappointments at Anfield do not play a role in his current preparations.
This is a different game, a different tournament, a different club, with players who have played many times at Anfield. They know what to expect. This is a cup match, and special moments can happen. In these games, some things happen differently, so I don’t compare them.
