World Cup winner left 'surprised' by what Liverpool decided over Xabi Alonso

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SportFootballLiverpool FCFormer Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit has expressed his surprise that Xabi Alonso was not courted by LiverpoolFormer Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit has expressed his surprise that Xabi Alonso was not courted by Liverpool following Andoni Iraola's appointment.Alonso was officially confirmed as Chelsea boss on May 17, less than two weeks before the decision was taken at Anfield to sack Arne Slot, whose Liverpool side limped to a fifth-place finish in the Premier League after 12 defeats.The Reds had initially intended to stick by Slot and never approached 2005 Champions League winner Alonso, who had been out of work since January after he was relieved of his duties at Real Madrid.However, with the Dutchman leaving Liverpool so soon after Spaniard was appointed at Stamford Bridge, 1998 World Cup winner Petit has questioned why Liverpool officials seemingly overlooked their former midfielder."Xabi Alonso has to build something at Chelsea," Petit told BetVictor Live Casino."It's similar at Liverpool. But as I said, I'm quite surprised.

Did he know that Arne Slot was about to be sacked?"I think he signed very quickly for Chelsea, so the contact must have been made months before. It's a question of timing too."But I'm quite surprised.

I saw him going to Liverpool instead of Chelsea, definitely."There was a lot of talk about Andoni Iraola to Chelsea, it's quite strange as well that Iraola is a coach rather than a manager, this is a luxury for the board to get that kind of person."Speculation raged around Alonso initially succeeding then Reds boss Jurgen Klopp in 2024 when the former Spain international was at Bayer Leverkusen, having led them to a Bundesliga title for the first time in their history without a league defeat in 2023.And the ex-Liverpool favourite was once more being spoken about as a potential recruit towards the second half of last season as Slot continued to struggle on Merseyside.However, the Reds never looked to take on Alonso, despite his standing with the club's supporters after a memorable five-year spell under Rafa Benitez as a player between 2004 and 2009.Petit added: "We will see what happens. I think there is such big work to do at Chelsea and Liverpool.