Xabi Alonso played for Liverpool for five years when Trent Alexander-Arnold was a young Liverpool fan – and his admiration is obvious for the man who could become his Real Madrid manager

Xabi Alonso kept his cards close to his chest when questioned about his future as Bayer Leverkusen boss, as the Spaniard on Friday declined to comment on reports linking him to the Real Madrid job.

Bayer Leverkusen face Freiburg in the Bundesliga this weekend, but much of the pre-match talk surrounded Xabi Alonso's future at the club.