Xabi Alonso in talks with former Liverpool player to convince him into joining Bayer Leverkusen

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In a parallel universe, Xabi Alonso is just beginning his first weeks as new Liverpool manager.

The Spaniard is basking in the glory of a wonderful return to Merseyside after 15 years away. Excitement fills the air for what lies ahead.

Back in this reality, Alonso is preparing to defend the unbeaten Bundesliga title he won with Bayer Leverkusen in his first full year in management.

Arne Slot is Liverpool boss and while he may not be a returning legend of the club, the Dutchman is instilling anticipation of his own.

Nevertheless, Alonso and Liverpool will always be connected and the celebrated head coach is now trying to bring another former Anfield hero with him to Leverkusen.

Bayer Leverkusen in talks with Joel Matip

It is still not certain that Alonso was the Liverpool owners’ first choice to replace Jurgen Klopp this summer.

The 42-year-old was definitely in the running before he ruled himself out, but there’s no guarantee that he would have ultimately got the job.

What is clear is that Alonso is a special coach. He and his Leverkusen side were a whisker away from winning an unbeaten league, cup and Europa League treble.

With a target now on their backs, it will be a huge ask to replicate – or come close to replicating – that this season.

READ MORE: Xabi Alonso suggests why he really didn’t want the Liverpool job after Jurgen Klopp

However, Alonso looks set to keep most of his squad together and must now make the right additions to fill in the gaps.

According to German journalist Florian Plettenberg, one of those new signings could well be former Liverpool centre-back Joel Matip.

Matip only just left the Reds after eight fantastic years. And reporting on X, Plettenberg says that the 32-year-old has been ‘in talks’ over a return to the Bundesliga and to Leverkusen.

“Bayer 04 Leverkusen is very interested to sign Joel Matip as a free agent,” says the journalist. “First talks took place. Xavi Alonso wants to strengthen the team with an experienced central defender.”

Joel Matip proves retirement suggestions wrong

From a Liverpool point of view, this would be really nice to see. Despite his insistence on not becoming the new manager at Anfield this summer, Alonso is still held in very high regard at the club.

And Matip, for all his quirks of personality and wonderful footballing ability, is also a modern day Liverpool legend, or cult hero at the very least.

Obviously, the elephant in the room here is that Matip is currently injured. The former Cameroon international is likely to be out until September or October.

As a result, there had been a feeling that Matip could retire and move into coaching. His injury problems had also reportedly put other clubs off signing Matip.

If he could put those suggestions to bed and sign for the Bundesliga champions, it would be a slight surprise, but a really good one. A fit Joel Matip is a boost to any team in Europe. Let’s hope this gets done.