Xabi Alonso's Liverpool reunion confirmed as Premier League announcement made

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Liverpool are set to face Xabi Alonso during the new Premier League seasonLiverpool have learned when they will face club icon Xabi Alonso next season. Liverpool are set to be reunited with Alonso when they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on December 5.New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola will also line up against his childhood friend Alonso for the first time in his coaching career, having played for the same boys’ team in their youth.

Alonso officially begins his new role on July 1 and has signed a four-year deal at Stamford Bridge."Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club," Alonso said in his first interview as manager."From my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition. However, the Spanish coach did offer his thoughts about managing Liverpool in the future ahead of Real Madrid facing his old club in the Champions League.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!

All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page"Of course there is a bond with my former club, but for now this is my place,” Alonso said in November 2025. ”[In the] future, you never know what might happen."He also insisted he was not close to succeeding Klopp in 2024. "At that time I was focused, I had a big thing with the [Bayer Leverkusen] players and we were really focused on that,” Alonso explained.Liverpool will hope Iraola can help the Reds recapture the Premier League title after a disappointing campaign last term.