Xabi Alonso Returns to Anfield Leading a Transformed Real Madrid

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso returns to Anfield on Tuesday to face his former club Liverpool in the Champions League, bringing with him a revitalized Madrid side that has made a near-perfect start under his leadership.

While Liverpool have managed only two wins in their last eight matches, Alonso’s Madrid are in imperious form — fresh from a Clasico victory over Barcelona in La Liga and playing some of their most dynamic football in recent years.

The 15-time European champions have won 13 of their 14 games this season, with their only loss coming in a 5–2 derby setback against Atletico Madrid early in the campaign.

Many Liverpool fans had hoped the 42-year-old Spaniard, who starred for the Reds between 2004 and 2009, would return to manage the club after Jurgen Klopp’s departure. Alonso instead took over at Madrid this summer, succeeding Carlo Ancelotti, after an extra year at Bayer Leverkusen.

Alonso has quickly reshaped Madrid’s identity — turning them into an intense, pressing, defensively solid unit.

“To win trophies you have to defend well, obtaining many clean sheets,” Alonso said after Madrid’s 4–0 win over Valencia, their seventh clean sheet of the season.

Spanish daily Marca praised Madrid’s transformation, saying they now “dominate, suffocate and subdue opponents,” a stark contrast to the inconsistency of Ancelotti’s final season.

Unlike his predecessor, Alonso has been flexible with tactics and unafraid to make bold selection choices. The coach even opted to train in Madrid before traveling to Merseyside, saying:

“It’s my decision not to train at Anfield. We prefer to do it at home, in our space, so they don’t put 200 cameras on us.”

Rising Stars Under Alonso

Alonso has reignited several key players’ form. Kylian Mbappe has been electric, scoring 18 goals in all competitions and adding defensive pressing to his repertoire.

Vinicius Junior, who recently apologized after a public outburst when substituted during the Clasico, responded well with an energetic display against Valencia — a sign Alonso’s careful man-management may be paying off.

Jude Bellingham has also become central to Madrid’s success. After recovering from shoulder surgery, the English midfielder has scored against Barcelona, Juventus, and Valencia, emerging as a crucial creative force.

Meanwhile, Arda Guler, the Turkish prodigy, is being moulded by Alonso to eventually take over midfield responsibilities from veterans Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.

As Alonso returns to the ground where he lifted the 2005 Champions League trophy, he will be looking to make it a bittersweet reunion for Liverpool — and another statement of intent from a Madrid side fast taking on his image.

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