Liverpool's worst Xabi Alonso fears realized amid Bayer Leverkusen future rumors

Liverpool's worst fears about Xabi Alonso may be realized if reports about his future are to be believed.

On Thursday, it was reported the Spaniard, who starred in Liverpool's midfield during his playing days, is set to leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season after guiding them to a Bundesliga title last term. Alonso was one of the managerial candidates to succeed Jurgen Klopp after the German announced he would be stepping down as Reds boss earlier this year.

He opted to turn Liverpool down, which eventually led to the Reds appointing Arne Slot. While Slot has led Liverpool to the top of the Premier League, Alonso was reportedly the Reds first name on their shortlist to replace Klopp.

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But, Liverpool now look set with Slot as their manager for at least the foreseeable future - meaning if Alonso is to leave Bayer, he will likely be heading to join Real Madrid, Manchester City or Bayern Munich. Eurosport ES claim Alonso, alongside full-back Alex Grimaldo, will leave the Bay Arena this summer.

Big things were expected this term of Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid side following their Champions League win earlier this year. Despite the arrival of Kylian Mbappe, Ancelotti's side look unbalanced and are now having to deal with an injury crisis after Eder Militao tore his ACL. With Alonso being one of the hottest coaching names in football right now, him returning to the Bernabeu as a manager of Real Madrid makes too much sense if they move on from Ancelotti.

However, Liverpool's worst fears could be realized should Pep Guardiola opt to leave Manchester City at the end of the season, paving the way for the current defending Premier League champions to appoint Alonso, which would likely go down badly with Reds supporters. City have previously been credited with interest in Alonso as a potential successor to Guardiola.

While Liverpool cannot be anything but delighted with how the decision to name Slot as Klopp's successor has gone so far, with the Dutchman having won 15 of his opening 17 games in all competitions, it would sting to see a club legend like Alonso managing one of their fiercest competitive rivals.

Liverpool.com says: "With Alonso arguably the hottest young coach in Europe right now, he was always going to be linked with the top jobs across the continent, two of which could be set to open up this summer should Real Madrid and Manchester City see Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola depart. Guardiola's contract is up at the end of the season with their being no news yet on an extension being signed. Seeing Alonso manage Man City would likely be a bitter pill for Liverpool supporters to swallow, but they will also likely be comforted by how Slot has started so far - and will be buoyed further should the Dutchman guide Liverpool to Premier League glory this term."