Xabi Alonso Chelsea move 'difficult to accept' for Liverpool fans says club icon
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesXabi AlonsoEmile Heskey says Liverpool fans will find it hard to accept Xabi Alonso's appointment as Chelsea manager, with the former Reds midfielder taking charge at Stamford Bridge after leaving Real Madrid.Xabi Alonso is the new Chelsea boss(Image: Getty Images)Former Liverpool forward Emile Heskey reckons it will be tough for Reds fans to stomach Xabi Alonso becoming Chelsea manager.Alonso's appointment at Stamford Bridge was announced on Sunday, marking his return to management after being dismissed by Real Madrid in January following a challenging seven-month spell at the Bernabeu. The Spaniard, who enjoyed five years at Anfield as a player and lifted the Champions League trophy in 2005, was previously tipped to succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager two years ago, but chose to stay at Bayer Leverkusen for an additional campaign.Some supporters had also floated Alonso as their top pick to replace Arne Slot as Reds manager this summer following a deeply disappointing Premier League title defense.READ MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold delivers Andy Robertson verdict before final Liverpool gameREAD MORE: Why Bournemouth may need Liverpool to win on final day despite Champions League raceWhile outlining why Liverpool will be hesitant to part company with Slot, Heskey appreciates why Reds supporters will be dismayed to see Alonso at Chelsea."Is Xabi Alonso to Chelsea difficult for Liverpool fans to accept?
A lot of the Liverpool fans are probably looking for a change right now, and Alonso was their first choice.Arne Slot is under pressure at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)"You have to be aware that when a club like Liverpool hire a manager it's for the long term. Liverpool just don't do that."But the way this season's gone, and the style of football, the fans are fed up, so to see one of their own go to a rival like Chelsea rather than Liverpool in their hour of need, it's not going to sit well with some Liverpool fans."Mohamed Salah, set to depart on a free transfer following Sunday's final Premier League fixture at Anfield against Brentford, sparked controversy at the weekend with fresh remarks criticising Liverpool's disappointing campaign and Slot's tactical approach.Speaking to Hajper, Heskey commented: "Mohamed Salah is only saying what the fans are saying."He's only reiterating what they're all feeling.
He'll have a lot of Liverpool fans on his side."I don't think it was the right thing to do personally, and when you're in a dressing room, you generally back your team-mates, so seeing everyone liking his post, I wouldn't read too much into that."Half the time, players are liking stuff that they haven't even read. But he's only saying what fans are saying."Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Xabi AlonsoChelsea FCLiverpool FC