Liverpool fans will have been keeping a close watch on Real Madrid during their FIFA Club World Cup matches this summer.

Real have upset Reds fans plenty over recent years and did so again by snatching Trent Alexander-Arnold for a nominal fee in May.

Although the Spanish giants are one of the favourites to win the tournament, Liverpool supporters will be watching on in the hope of seeing them, and Alexander-Arnold, fail in their pursuit.

While feelings towards Madrid are generally not good on Merseyside, though, the presence of former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso as head coach may mitigate the animosity somewhat.

What Jurgen Klopp and Xabi Alonso said about Florian Wirtz speaks volumes after £116m Liverpool transfer	What Jurgen Klopp and Xabi Alonso have said about Liverpool new boy Florian Wirtz speaks volumes	What Jurgen Klopp and Xabi Alonso have said about Liverpool £116m man Florian Wirtz speaks volumes

Alonso is a big favourite at Anfield and there is every chance he manages Liverpool in the future.

First, however, the Spaniard has joined Real to take over from Carlo Ancelotti.

And after securing his first win as head coach against Mexican side Pachuca on Sunday night, Alonso has already been making comparisons with his current players and former Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard.

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With all his suave and charm, Alonso is going to make it a little more difficult for Liverpool fans to openly wish the worst for Real Madrid this season.

And, although he is likely not in the least bit bothered what’s going on at Anfield currently, a sure-fire way to win Reds supporters over is to talk about Gerrard in the most glowing terms.

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Alonso has always done that, and after Real won 3-1 on Sunday, he compared Uruguayan midfielder Federico Valverde to Gerrard, paying compliments to the Liverpool legend along the way.

“Honestly, I have not seen many footballers with his physical capacity.

He reminds me a bit of Steven Gerrard’s profile because of the amount of ground he covers and because of his runs or his shot,” Alonso said via Defensa Central.

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“He also reminds me of him [Gerrard] because he can play on the right and has no problem adapting to another position.

“I am convinced that all coaches would like to have a Federico Valverde in the team.

You can see the determination that Fede has.”

Watch Valverde play, and you can really see where Alonso is coming from here.

The 26-year-old is as all-action as they come.

As a result, it is no surprise that Liverpool were reportedly trying to sign Valverde several times over recent years.

Back in 2023, when the Reds were completely reshaping their midfield, there were even claims that talks had taken place between Liverpool and Valverde’s agents.

Liverpool signed Dominik Szoboszlai that same summer, of course, and the Hungarian has since earned comparisons to Gerrard himself.

But had the Reds managed to secure Valverde, they would have likely been looking at a much closer iteration of their greatest ever midfielder.