Xabi may make Liverpool return

Posted Friday, August 08, 2014 by Foxsports.com

Reports are flying that Xabi Alonso may be set for a Real Madrid exit on the back of the midfielder's weight loss and catastrophic WC campaign.

The 32-year old Spaniard was at best, lacklustre, during the Brazil World Cup where defending champions Spain were unceremoniously knocked out of the Group Stages, eventually abdicating their throne and title to the Germans.

Spanish media has reported that Xabi Alonso has struggled in pre-season training, putting his teammates and Carlo Ancelotti on edge about his fitness and future at the club.

His weight loss could mean a failure to fulfill the role of an enforcer of the midfield, a position where physical imposition and size are key elements to controlling play and dictating the flow of the game.

His potential return home to Liverpool, a club he played successfully for 4 years, is also riddled with problems as boss Brendan Rodgers would struggle to adapt Alonso to his natural fast-paced and electric attacking style which requires the kind of legs that the Spaniard just does not have. He would pale in comparison to Lucas Leiva, Emre Can and Jordan Henderson - with the only role he would possibly be suited for being Steven Gerrard's central role on the pitch.

Rodgers is already pursuing another Spanish player in the form of one Alberto Moreno and have already signed on loan Javier Manquillo from Atletico Madrid.

Real Madrid has been reported to be "open for discussion" on the fate of Xabi Alonso, and it still remains to be seen whether or not he will stick with the Los Blancos this season or make a come-back move to the Barclays Premier League.