Xabi Alonso reunited with Liverpool legend making rare public appearance

Liverpool legend John Toshack received a huge honour from former club Real Sociedad, with Xabi Alonso in attendanceXabi Alonso greets John Toshack ahead of Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid(Image: Screenshot: X: @RealSociedadEN)

Tributes were paid to Liverpool and Wales legend John Toshack ahead of kick-off between two of his other former clubs, Real Sociedad and Real Madrid, on Saturday afternoon. The occasion saw Xabi Alonso reunited with the man he once credited with kickstarting his playing career.

Toshack signed for Bill Shankly‘s Reds in 1970 in a £100,000 deal with Cardiff City. The Welshman went on to form a successful bond with Kevin Keegan and Steve Heighway over the next eight years, in which time Liverpool won three First Division titles and a European Cup amongst nine major titles.

He made a natural progression into management – a successful journey that lasted the next 50 years and took Toshack far and wide.

Now 76, Toshack has kept a low profile since 2022, when he was rushed into intensive care in Spain as he battled pneumonia from complications brought on by Covid.

But, now recovered from that incident, Toshack made a rare public appearance as Real Sociedad – a club who he made a great impact on during three separate stints as head coach – were to present him with the Diamond and Gold badge. This is the highest honour the La Liga club can bestow upon their legends.

It was fitting that Real Madrid were the visitors to San Sebastian because Toshack formerly took charge of them twice, winning La Liga in 1989/90. Additionally, former Sociedad and Liverpool midfielder Alonso was in the Los Blancos dugout, giving the pair an opportunity to share a warm embrace.

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Speaking to The Daily Mail in 2012, Alonso explained how Toshack’s decision to recall him from a loan spell to give him a chance in his senior Sociedad side.

“I would not have had the success I have had if it was not for John Toshack,” he said. “I was on loan in the Spanish second division when he called me back to play for Real Sociedad and the team were not in a good situation.

“I was 19, but he said: ‘I have the confidence in you that you can help turn this season around’. Since he put that confidence in me I have never looked back.”

Toshack watched on as Alonso led his Real Madrid side to a 2-1 victory, even if they were at a numerical disadvantage for the majority of the meeting.

Former Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen was sent off in the first half but Sociedad were unable to battle back to share the points.

Former Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was only good enough for the bench again with Dani Carvajal given the nod to start. The Englishman got a late substitute cameo with the result already wrapped up.

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Xabi Alonso reunited with Liverpool legend making rare public appearance

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