Liverpool may not have lost out on Xabi Alonso in the literal sense, but the new Chelsea manager can still make his former club regret his joining, as well as a few past transfer fumbles.
As Liverpool’s manager concerns deepen, Alonso has agreed to take over at Chelsea on a four-year deal. The man so many supporters expected to be next in line for the job at Anfield did not wait around for a potential opening, instead choosing a Premier League rival.
He is just the latest strong Liverpool link to end up at Stamford Bridge, and if he gets their midfield working, the recruitment staff could be left looking foolish all over again.
What did you make of Salah’s explosive statement before his last game for the club?
This sounds like it was aimed at Slot…
Xabi Alonso gets alternate Liverpool midfield at Chelsea
Chelsea’s midfield is littered with almost-Reds. Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Enzo Fernandez were all linked with Liverpool before ending up at Stamford Bridge.
Caicedo was the most painful miss, with Liverpool agreeing a fee with Brighton before the midfielder ultimately chose Chelsea.
Lavia followed a similar path, rejecting Liverpool after their long pursuit and moving to Chelsea instead. Fernandez was another one who had been on Liverpool’s radar before Chelsea pushed harder and paid the money.
That trio has not been perfect.
Caicedo has become the standout and looks like the kind of elite ball-winner Liverpool have lacked badly. Injuries have badly hampered Lavia, but there’s no denying his talent. Fernandez has had moments of real quality, but has been inconsistent.
They haven’t been good this season, but that’s a reflection on the whole team. Now, Alonso will now be asked to extract the best from a midfield Liverpool could have had.
The Reds have sorely lacked the Caicedo and Lavia profile. They have needed more physicality and defensive aggression in the middle of the pitch.
If Alonso gets Chelsea’s midfield ticking next season while Slot’s continues to stumble, it will not just reflect badly on the dugout. It will also be a damning indictment of Liverpool’s recruitment.
Chelsea continue to frustrate Liverpool fans
Liverpool were not in formal talks with Alonso to take the job, but that will not make this hurt any less for supporters.
Fans had already pictured him in the Anfield dugout one day. Instead, he has gone to Chelsea.
That club has caused enough frustration for Liverpool fans over the years. Fernando Torres leaving Anfield for Stamford Bridge still stands as one of the most painful examples.
How concerned are you that we might throw this away?
We need a favour from City against Bournemouth…
There has been a recent retaliatory strike. Liverpool taking Rio Ngumoha from Chelsea was a major academy coup. If the 17-year-old develops into the player many expect, those past transfer failures may become a little more tolerable.
Or Alonso could turn a dismal Chelsea side around, get the best from a midfield Liverpool once wanted, and finish above Slot next season. You wouldn’t be surprised.
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