RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesLuis Garcia shows where his loyalties lie with telling remark about Xabi Alonso and Liverpool
Luis Garcia continues to have a long-standing friendship with his ex-Liverpool teammate Xabi Alonso, but that doesn’t quite extend to hoping that the Chelsea manager is lifting the Premier League trophy next year.
The 44-year-old had been hotly tipped for a return to Anfield earlier this year when speculation over Arne Slot’s future was at its most frenetic, only for him to end up at Stamford Bridge instead, with the Reds eventually hiring Andoni Iraola to replace the Dutchman.
Alonso admitted in his introductory press conference at his new club last month that his decision was largely influenced by ‘timing’, which suggested that he may have held out for the LFC job had he known that it would become available at the end of May.
His Chelsea side are in Malaysia for a friendly against Johor Darul Ta’zim today, with Garcia now chief executive at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.
Garcia wishes Alonso well at Chelsea
While our former no.10 wishes his compatriot and one-time Anfield teammate well in west London, his greatest loyalty remains to Liverpool.
The 48-year-old said of Alonso (via BBC Sport ): “I wish him all the best [at Chelsea], but even though I love him, hopefully he ends up second to Liverpool next season.”
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Garcia’s fierce loyalty to Liverpool endures
Even in his professional capacity in Johor, Garcia’s enduring love for the Reds often shines through in social media posts referencing the Merseyside club.
Alonso has already been back to Anfield twice in the away dugout (with Bayer Leverkusen in November 2024 and Real Madrid a year later), although his visit with Chelsea in the upcoming season (1 May) could carry a bit more spice considering that the Blues are a direct domestic rival.
The timing of that fixture in the final month of the campaign could bring even more of an edge if both clubs are, for example, directly vying for Champions League qualification. However, given the trigger-happy nature of the Stamford Bridge hierarchy, it’d be no surprise if they dispense with their new manager before then.
We don’t doubt that Garcia would like to see his long-time friend succeeding in west London – just not at Liverpool’s expense!
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