Xabi Alonso net worth - Liverpool manager truth, Anfield atmosphere verdict, Leverkusen 'miracle'

Former Liverpool playmaker Xabi Alonso became a fan favourite at Anfield having helped the Reds win the Champions League back in 2005.

The Spanish international scored the Reds' third goal in a dramatic turnaround, with Rafa Benitez's side trailing 3-0 to a star studded AC Milan side at half-time. Liverpool turned the game on its head in the second-half, with Steven Gerrard and Vladimir Smicer reducing the deficit just before the hour mark, with Alonso restoring parity in a crazy seven minute turnaround.

The Reds would win the tie on penalties, with Alonso helping write Liverpool's name in the history books. He'd move to Real Madrid and establish himself as one of the best midfielders in the world, helping Spain win the World Cup and two European Championships.

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During his time with Los Blancos, Alonso won another Champions League title and just about everything there is to win in Spain, before linking up with Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, becoming a three-time Bundesliga title winner. The classy midfielder would hang up his boots in 2017, but wasted no time in choosing his next walk of life.

Alonso took charge of Real Sociedad's B-team, returning to the Basque region of Spain, before taking over at Bayer Leverkusen in 2022. His managerial stock went through the roof last season having helped guide Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title - by going unbeaten in the German top-tier - winning the DFB-Pokal and German Super Cup.

Asked last season if Liverpool's famous win in Istanbul, or Leverkusen's Bundesliga win was more of a miracle, the Spaniard tactfully replied: "Why do we have to pick just one? We can live more than one miracle."

Leverkusen also reached the Europa League Final, but were beaten 3-0 by Serie A side Atalanta. Alonso was linked with a move to Anfield following Jurgen Klopp's departure from the club earlier this summer, but he's since clarified that speculation.

"At that time I was focused, I had a big thing with the Leverkusen players and we were really focused on that," Alonso revealed at his pre-match press conference ahead of his return to Anfield with Leverkusen. "I've seen a lot of different things Klopp implemented here but I have followed Slot too, I know his approach but it is combined with the intensity here at Liverpool, they have a nice mixture and that is why they are top of Premier League and Champions League.

"In all areas they are really strong, so the process works really well. The manager has done a fantastic job in three months. Gakpo, Diaz, Tsimikas, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; they have so many options. We have our plan and we will see what happens tomorrow for 90 minutes, we want to be competitive. We'll see."

Alonso returns to Anfield for the first time as a manager on Tuesday evening and still has a fond memory of the atmosphere in L4.

"It feels great to be back after a few years. It’s always special. You notice the development of the club. The new stands look pretty amazing," he said ahead of his return this evening.

"It’s a big game against Liverpool in a great moment, it cannot get much better than that. I am not thinking that much (about how I will be received). I am thinking more about how to prepare for the game.

"I might think about my memories when I go for a walk or a run before the game. I know the city; I love it and I still have friends here. But I don’t have time for tourism.

"This game means a lot to me. It will be a big game. The atmosphere will be great. Liverpool is one of the best teams in Europe at the moment. It’s a huge challenge — but a beautiful challenge for us."

Most of Alonso's finances will have been acquired from a glittering playing career, with Celebrity Net Worth estimating the Bayer Leverkusen boss is worth around $20m (£15.9m). That figure is likely to have risen, with German media outlet Bild, reporting Alonso earns up to €6m (£5.12m) a year after extending his contract through to the summer of 2026.

It's widely reported he'll leave the German side at the end of the current campaign, with Real Madrid said to be keen on hiring him to replace Carlo Ancelotti at the Santiago Bernabeu, but that remains to be seen.