Iraola-Xabi Alonso, a duel between friends with a tie at stake

He Liverpool-Chelsea Tonight at Anfield is the star tie of the round of 16 of the English League Cup. Two historic clubs face each other, led on the bench by two Basque coaches, childhood friends. Andoni Iraola and Xabi Alonso They started playing together Antiguoko of San Sebastian (next to Mikel Arteta that triumphs in Arsenal) before also doing it in the selections of Spain and Euskadi.

Now, both 44 years old, they meet again after earning prestige as coaches. Xabi Alonso, with more renown after his time in Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid, sounded a few months ago to return to Anfield, where he became an idol for the ‘red’ fans as a player between 2004 and 2009, mainly by winning the Champions League in that legendary final in Istanbul in 2005 against the Milan for penalties. But Xabi Alonso accepted the offer from Chelsea and Liverpool opted for Iraola after a remarkable period at the helm of the BOurnemouth.

Iraola’s first weeks were not easy but the game comes at its best, with four consecutive wins that have placed the Reds fourth in the Premier League and third in the Champions League with a full 9 points. Ronald Araujoon loan from Barcelona, ​​is performing at a high level and yesterday the Premier elected him best player of the day after his great game on Saturday against the Brighton (2-0). Frimpong and Szoboszlai They are still on leave.

Xabi Alonso returns to Anfield surrounded by doubts and with Chelsea surpassed in the table by Liverpool after Saturday’s setback against Tottenham (0-2). A match that he already faced without Joao Pedro. Yesterday Alonso revealed that his scorer suffered a muscle injury in training on Friday and will be out for several weeks. Cole Palmer, sent off in the derby, he is sanctioned, Draw Martínez and Reece James they are still absent. Jordan Hendersonthe great former Liverpool captain, will also experience a special return to Anfield.