Liverpool's reunion with Xabi Alonso confirmed as announcement made ahead of new season

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Mirror or go back to LFC Live.

Liverpool will face Xabi Alonso's Chelsea in the 2026/27 Premier League seasonLiverpool have discovered when they will come up against club legend Xabi Alonso next season. Liverpool are set to be reunited with Alonso when they meet Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on December 5.New Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola will also face off against his childhood friend Alonso for the first time in his managerial career, having played for the same boys' team in their youth.

The return fixture is scheduled to take place at Anfield on May 1.Alonso represented Liverpool from 2004 until 2009, lifting the Champions League and FA Cup under Rafa Benitez. Alonso officially starts his new position on July 1 and has penned a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge."Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club," Alonso said in his first interview as manager."From my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition.

However, the Spanish boss did share his thoughts on the prospect of managing Liverpool in the future, ahead of Real Madrid's Champions League clash against his former club."Of course, there is a bond with my former club, but for now, this is my place," Alonso said in November 2025. "At that time I was focused, I had a big thing with the [Bayer Leverkusen] players and we were really focused on that," Alonso explained.Liverpool will be hoping Iraola can guide the Reds back to Premier League title glory following a frustrating campaign last season.