Xabi Alonso has opened up the vacant Liverpool job after Jurgen Klopp decided to step down earlier this year. The Bayer Leverkusen manager was heavily tipped to replace the German who informed club owners Fenway Sports Group in November last year of his intention to leave at the end of last season.

Xabi Alonso played at Anfield for Liverpool for five seasons before leaving but is back as manager with Bayer Leverkusen and has touched the stadium's iconic sign

Liverpool hero Xabi Alonso emerged to the kind of reception that you would expect at Anfield, giving a classy touch to the This Is Anfield sign in the tunnel before high-fiving a few fans sat near the entrance to the pitch.