Xabi Alonso not taking on Liverpool's worst fear could have huge impact on Trent Alexander-Arnold

Xabi Alonso is set to leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the 2024/25 season - and it could have a knock-on impact on Trent Alexander-Arnold's future.

On Thursday, Eurosport ES claimed the Spaniard, alongside full-back Alex Grimaldo, will leave the Bundesliga side he led to a domestic double last term at the end of the season. Alonso was the front runner to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield after the German announced he would be stepping down as Liverpool boss earlier this year.

However, Alonso turned down the Reds in order to stay with Bayer Leverkusen for another season, leading Liverpool to pivot and appoint Arne Slot as their new boss. So far, that decision looks to be a superb one, with Slot and Liverpool having won 15 of their opening 17 games this term.

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But, Alonso's next move could have a major impact upon Liverpool depending on who he decides to join. The two frontrunners look to be Real Madrid, one of his former clubs, and Manchester City, while Bayern Munich has also been linked to the ex-Liverpool star.

This season, despite the arrival of Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid look an unbalanced side unable to fit all of their stars into a cohesive team, something which could lead to them looking to replace Carlo Ancelotti with Alonso. Man City meanwhile could be set to see Pep Guardiola depart the Etihad at the end of the season, with the Spaniard out of contract.

Guardiola has not yet signed a new deal, with City reportedly having lined up Ruben Amorim, prior to him being installed as the new Manchester United boss, and Alonso as potential replacements. But should Guardiola sign a new one-year deal which has been mooted, and Alonso opts to join Real Madrid, then it could see the current Leverkusen boss impact upon the future of Trent Alexander-Arnold - who is also out of contract this summer.

Alexander-Arnold, alongside Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, is out of contract in the summer, with Real Madrid reportedly keen on landing the Liverpool star. Real Madrid are in the market for a long-term successor to Dani Carvajal, who suffered an ACL injury last month which will see him miss the rest of the season.

As a result, Alexander-Arnold looks to be Real Madrid's No. 1 target to replace Carvajal. While unlikely he will move in January - with Liverpool not wanting to lose Alexander-Arnold midway through the season and with Real Madrid not likely to want to pay a fee for him - a move in the summer is a real possibility, one which could become stronger if Alonso takes charge at the Bernabeu.

Clearly, Alonso is someone Alexander-Arnold respects enormously. Back in 2019, Alexander-Arnold said of Alonso when talking about the type of player he has become: "I think it's just about replicating the players that I wanted to be when I was younger – the likes of Gerrard, Alonso, who were unbelievable passers of the ball. I always wanted to be able to pass a ball like that.

"Obviously I still look up to them massively and sometimes I still find myself watching clips of them – especially I always watch his old clips, his old games. He's someone that I still look up to now and still an idol for me. It's just growing up wanting to be them. I was practicing a lot on my passing and for me it's paid off, and I'm reaping the rewards now."

Liverpool.com says: "You suspect that if he is set to leave Liverpool, there is no chance Alexander-Arnold will depart Anfield in January. If he does go, it will be to Real Madrid, a decision which could be made easier for him should it emerge Alonso will be the man to succeed Ancelotti at the Bernabeu."