Xabi Alonso returns to Anfield later as he leads Chelsea against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup, with the former midfielder aiming to claim a first win over his old side as a manager

Xabi Alonso has vowed to celebrate against his former club should Chelsea score against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.

The former midfielder returns to Anfield for the first time since being appointed by the Blues during the summer. It will be the third time he has brought a team back to Merseyside, having previously lost on visits with Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid.

Both defeats came against Arne Slot, but this time Alonso will be facing off against his childhood friend Andoni Iraola. The pair grew up in the Basque Country in Spain, and played alongside each other for the same youth team, Antigouko, in the San Sebastian area.

Alonso has been afforded a warm welcome on his recent visits to Anfield, with the 44-year-old still fondly remembered for his playing days by Reds supporters - although it remains to be seen how they will react now he is in charge of a direct rival.

Despite still retaining a fondness for Liverpool, and being close friends with Iraola, Alonso will not pass up the chance to celebrate should his current side make an impact later.

"Of course, I will celebrate, for sure,” Alonso said. “With full respect because for sure, my warmth with Liverpool was there as a player.

"But now, I am in a different role, I need to support my team, I need to support my club, I fight for my club and if we score, I will celebrate with whole respect.

"That is the respect for my club and the respect for the opponent as well."

Alonso had been linked with taking over at Liverpool when Jurgen Klopp left the club in 2024, and then again when the pressure grew on Slot last season. The Dutchman was still in the role though by the time Chelsea made the move to appoint the former Reds favorite.

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Had he made a different decision a couple of years ago though, Alonso might have been taking his seat in the home dugout later, as opposed to the visitors’ bench, although he has confirmed he never held talks with Liverpool.

“At that time I was at Leverkusen and I was aware of the situation, but I decided to stay,” he said of the links back in 2024. “That was my decision at the time.”