Jamie Carragher gave X-rated reaction to Xabi Alonso’s pointed Liverpool comments

Before even making his debut, Jamie Carragher was astounded to learn that new colleague Xabi Alonso had already brought up areas where Liverpool might improve in their discussions with Rafa Benitez.

Alonso, then 22 years old, had a lot to prove at Anfield after joining the Reds in 2004 from his childhood club Real Sociedad. However, he quickly showed his football acumen in one-on-one conversations with new manager Benitez. Given that current manager Jurgen Klopp has stated that he will be leaving at the conclusion of this season, Alonso is the favourite to follow in Benitez’s footsteps twenty years later.

With 12 games remaining in the Bundesliga, Alonso is leading German team Bayer Leverkusen to a five-point lead. Carragher is one of his former teammate’s most well-known supporters. It’s simple to understand why Alonso, 42, is winning so many accolades when you consider that this is not just his first season in a senior managerial position, but also his first full season at Leverkusen.

However, back when fans of Liverpool were less acquainted with the midfield maestro—who would go on to become a star for Real Madrid and Bayern Munich—Alonso infuriated Carragher by criticising Benitez and company’s failings. “I remember Rafa saying – and don’t forget Xabi was only 22 – ‘We’ve got this player coming in, I think he’s a fantastic player,'” the legendary Anfield midfielder said in an interview with The Redmen TV. He has already discussed various tactical issues and areas where the team can get better.

When I read this, I can’t help but wonder, ‘Who the f****** hell does he think he is? 22, visiting from Spain, pointing out our mistakes. Let’s see you wear the shirt first, F******.”

However, Carragher saw that as the initial indication of Alonso’s coaching ability. “We used to talk a lot about football,” continued Carragher, who along with the Spain international won the Champions League in 2005. “He was always someone who was interested in football and he did watch a lot of football.”

After just 69 senior games, the former Reds defender now thinks Alonso is the “standout candidate” to succeed Klopp. “He is still very early in his managerial career,” Carragher said earlier this week on CBS Sports. “In a perfect world, you would say things like, ‘It’s Xabi Alonso, but he’s won a league here, he might have won a Champions League somewhere else, and all these different things.

“However, from where he is now, I don’t see anyone standing in his way of what Liverpool board members or supporters would desire. He really feels like he is the most exceptional prospect, and I’m not sure what the Liverpool board wants.”