Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen have played each other once in the last 20 years. They have few crossovers and little in common, but the German club is becoming increasingly prominent in Liverpool’s media agenda.
That’s mainly because former Red, Xabi Alonso, announced on Friday he will be leaving Leverkusen at the end of the season. The ex-midfielder, who played 210 times for Liverpool during his distinguished playing career, led Leverkusen to an unbeaten, title-winning Bundesliga campaign, plus a DFB-Pokal Cup victory and a run to the Europa League final.
But this season has been less successful, with an embarrassing DFB-Pokal semi-final exit to third-tier Arminia Bielefeld, while Bayern Munich reclaimed the Bundesliga title. And there will be a new man at the helm next term, Alonso confirmed on Friday.
“This week the club and I have agreed that these two games are going to be my last as Bayer Leverkusen coach,” the 43-year-old said on Friday.
“It is not a moment to talk too much about the future because we want to have a proper farewell on Sunday here for some players, for myself, and it is the right moment to announce it.”
It’s believed Alonso will join Real Madrid ahead of the 2025/26 season, replacing his former manager Carlo Ancelotti. He is likely to team up with Trent Alexander-Arnold at the Bernabeu, hence the news striking a chord with Liverpool fans.
Alexander-Arnold grew up watching Alonso pull the strings in the Liverpool midfield alongside Steven Gerrard.
(Image: 2006 Getty Images)
Leverkusen is also of interest given its defender Jeremie Frimpong has been heavily linked with a move to Anfield this week. Liverpool does hold a genuine interest in the player, while a release clause of around €35million ($40M/£35M) is active this summer.
He could be Liverpool’s long-term replacement for Alexander-Arnold, although his departure would deliver another bitter blow to Leverkusen.
Alonso has helped hugely with Frimpong’s long-term development and the latter posted a six-word message on social media when the coach’s departure was announced.
(Image: Getty Images)
“Lived it. Loved it. Farewell, Coach,” the 24-year-old wrote on X, accompanied by a picture of the pair.
Meanwhile, another integral member of the title-winning team has confirmed his departure. Jonathan Tah, who has previously been linked with a move to Liverpool, has confirmed he will leave Leverkusen when his contract expires next month.
Leverkusen is guaranteed a second-place finish no matter what happens in its final two games, the first of which comes at home to Borussia Dortmund on Sunday, before the season ends with a trip to Mainz.
