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Liverpool legendary manager Rafael Benitez has revealed the reason behind Xabi Alonso’s failed transfer despite Arsenal having an agreement with Liverpool.
Alonso spent five years at Anfield and was a key member of the squad that won the Champions League under Benitez in 2005.
Under Benitez, Alonso had committed to signing with Arsenal, but he was hesitant to participate in a Champions League qualifying match because he didn't want to be cup-tied.
The Spanish midfielder later left the Reds in 2009 to play for Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, but he nearly ended up pursuing his career much closer to Merseyside.
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Benitez on Alonso’s failed transfer
Benitez spoke about Alonso’s deal to Arsenal that collapsed and what led to him staying back at Anfield.
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Speaking on the Sky Bet Stick to Football podcast, Benitez explained: “Xabi Alonso is a very good player, a very clever person, and someone that is right.
“When we went for Gareth Barry, it was because he could play in three different positions and then we needed to sell. Xabi had an agreement; he was talking with one club and had an agreement.
“The year after, we played Standard de Liege for a Champions League qualifier and we had Javier Mascherano and Lucas Leiva in the Olympic Games, Steven Gerrard had a lower back problem, so we had to play [Damien] Plessis and Xabi. Xabi had an agreement with Arsenal and didn’t want to get cup tied.
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“I told Jamie Carragher and Gerrard before the game that he had an agreement and doesn’t want to play, but he must because it is the most important game to qualify for the Champions League.
“Then when you were going out for the warm-ups, you said, ‘Poor Xabi.’ Not poor Xabi, he is playing for our club at this time. During the season he was our best player and didn’t go to Arsenal because he had to play [for us].
“We played against Lazio in our last pre-season friendly and the fans were clapping for Xabi, but he was going to Arsenal, the fans loved him.”
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Meanwhile, earlier in the year, Alonso was considered a top candidate to succeed departing manager Jurgen Klopp at Anfield as a coach, and he was even touted to make a spectacular comeback.
However, Arne Slot was named the next head coach of Liverpool, although the Reds and Bayern Munich were both interested in him, but he decided to stay in Germany.
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