Liverpool are on red alert after it emerged that Real Madrid are ready to part ways with Xabi Alonso this summer.

The Champions League holders have moved to bring in Monaco's James Rodriguez and Bayern Munich's Toni Kroos during the current transfer window, heating up competition for places in midfield.

Manchester United target Angel Di Maria is set to be offloaded to French champions Paris St-Germain, whilst question marks remain over the future of Sami Khedira, who is being chased by both Arsenal and Chelsea.

However, Spanish outlet El Confidencial claims that Carlo Ancelotti would rather part with Anfield favourite Alonso after the midfielder returned from Spain's World Cup campaign in poor condition.

Alonso already looked set for a season on the sidelines, with Ancelotti planning to deploy Kroos alongside Luka Modric behind an attacking quartet of Rodriguez, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo, and the former Chelsea boss is now willing to sanction a move for Alonso back to Merseyside.

Liverpool have already added a number of players to their ranks including Adam Lallana and Emre Can, but Brendan Rodgers could now pounce for Alonso in order to provide Steven Gerrard with competition and cover for the role of midfield playmaker.

A reunion with the Kop faithful would surely appeal to Alonso, who previously admitted that there was nothing like playing in front of a full house at Anfield.

He said: "Liverpool was a very important part in my football career. Especially when we played at Anfield, we achieved great things and we had great nights at Anfield.

"There is a passion and atmosphere that comes when you play in England in the Premier League. It's special and I had the privilege to play for five years for Liverpool, and it's a really special club.

"Anfield is a beautiful stadium and it has a certain charm and style that is very difficult to find in other stadiums. So I miss it a little bit; I really enjoyed the time that I spent in England, it was very important for my football career."

Source: Daily Express