How Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea appointment could help Liverpool deal with one of their biggest issues
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Xabi Alonso’s appointment as Chelsea manager will have been heard loud and clear over on Merseyside among the Liverpool fans.For many years, Alonso has been the name sounded out to eventually come back and take over the managerial reins at Anfield.Now, though, it appears Arne Slot will keep his job – despite pressure from some – and Alonso instead is tasked with getting Chelsea back to where they want to be as a club.However, while Alonso’s appointment might disappoint some in Liverpool, it could also help them when it comes to underperforming midfielder, Florian Wirtz.Liverpool may be hoping for Florian Wirtz and Xabi Alonso part two There is absolutely no doubting that Florian Wirtz has had a disappointing first season at Liverpool.Brought in as a marquee signing after huge success in the Bundesliga, Wirtz has largely fallen flat with his performances and contributions, despite plenty of faith from Arne Slot.Just five goals and three assists in the Premier League show a marked downturn on a player who regularly averaged double figures in both metrics over in Germany.Photo by Lars Baron/Getty ImagesFor some Liverpool fans, the signs are already there that Wirtz isn’t going to be a hit and with Alonso arriving at Chelsea, it might well give them hope that they can move him on and recoup some of the £100m+ they paid for him.As we know, it was under Alonso that Wirtz played the best football of his career so far.The German was carefully managed back to full fitness during Alonso’s first season in charge before exploding into life in the second year when Leverkusen won the double and went unbeaten. He managed 18 goals and 20 assists that season, before in his final year in Germany last year, he scored another 16 and added 17 more assists.READ MORE: https://tbrfootball.com/thanks-but-no-thanks-jamie-carragher-says-man-utd-will-never-sign-another-player-like-70m-man/With Alonso in charge, Wirtz was deployed as a number ten in the Spaniard’s 3-4-2-1 formation and produced form that had a devastating effect.Chelsea, of course, have not been afraid of spending in recent times and Alonso will have a list of preferred targets.Wirtz will no doubt be a player he’s kept tabs on.
And while the German hasn’t done it at Anfield, Alonso might well be confident of unlocking his potential at Stamford Bridge.In the end, this might work as the best case scenario for all parties involved.Join Our NewsletterReceive weekly football news and updates to your mailbox