A wonderful long passer and a midfielder with the capacity to score from the halfway line, Xabi Alonso always seemed to have the ability to plot the way to a far-off target with expert precision. For years, the theory was that it would transport the former Liverpool midfielder to the dugouts at Anfield. When it has, though, it has been the opposition technical area: first with Bayer Leverkusen , then Real Madrid , the other club with whom he won the Champions League, now with Chelsea , the club beaten on Merseyside in two Champions League semi-finals two decades ago.

A man who created many a Liverpool goal has promised he will celebrate “for sure” if Chelsea score at Anfield on Wednesday; he had nothing to celebrate in 2024, however, when his Leverkusen were walloped 4-0 , or last year, when his Real lost 1-0 .

Alonso has returned to Anfield with Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid but coming back with Chelsea for the Carabao Cup fourth round will bring a different atmosphere (Getty)

The chant in Alonso’s…