Liverpool Transfer News: Xabi Alonso Talks Reds Return, Mario Balotelli Latest

Xabi Alonso has suggested he is too old to consider a future return to the Premier League.

The Bayern Munich midfielder, a former star with Liverpool, is set to head back to action on English soil during the German side's Champions League tie with Manchester City.

Speaking ahead of his 33rd birthday—which coincides with the aforementioned match on Tuesday—Alonso admitted it is too late for him to permanently reappear in the division, as reported by Sky Italia's Gianluca Di Marzio: "I spent a good moment of my life in Liverpool, I’m glad to return to England. Come back here? Tomorrow I turn 33, the times have changed since I was young. But I still like the style of play of the Premier."

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Alonso also suggested current boss Pep Guardiola "is special" and "has something more," saying he's "certain this is the best club that I could have chosen." Liverpool were linked with their former midfielder during the summer, per Anthony Chapman of the Daily Express, but Guardiola swooped to secure the classy star's controlling abilities for the heart of his Bavarian side.

That hasn't stopped the Reds wishing their former player happy birthday from afar:

Real Madrid initially struggled to cope with Alonso's absence. Although these problems quickly bypassed, Carlo Ancelotti is said to be focusing on securing quality youth to improve the club's prospects of future success, according to Jose Felix Diaz of Marca. 

Reports suggest Liverpool's Pedro Chirivella—whose style is compared to Alonso by Pete Jenson of the Daily Mail—is having his progress "tracked" by Madrid. Chirivella is also a dictator of possession and plays intelligent passes to control his side's tempo.

However, his qualities are similar to many youth prospects already available at the Bernabeu, as hinted by Spanish football expert Guillem Balague during his chat with B/R UK's Ryan Bailey:

Brendan Rodgers will be intent on keeping his most impressive starlets. The manager brought Raheem Sterling into the senior side with aplomb last season, but he has been unable to insert many of his summer signings with the same effectiveness.

Most notably of all, Mario Balotelli continues to frustrate both on and off the pitch. His decision to watch Tony Bellew's boxing victory over Nathan Cleverly at the Liverpool Echo Arena—on the eve of the club's loss to Crystal Palace—is said to have "riled" his team-mates, per Neil Ashton of the Daily Mail.

Balotelli wasn't fit enough to play, but his lack of Premier League goals and energy in a Liverpool shirt intensifies the spotlight on all of his actions.

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Mino Raiola, Balotelli's agent, recently confirmed his client won't be heading back to Italy anytime soon, as reported by Italian paper La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Ashley Clements of the Mail Online): "A return to Inter is impossible. Not for (Roberto) Mancini, but for other reasons of which it isn't worth talking about. Even Naples. Mario does not return in Italy."

Raiola also admitted Balotelli "lacks the goals, doesn't run well but it is a time that must pass." He suggested the influence of the local press isn't helping, saying, "The relationship with the team? It is perfect, the English journalists must not be part of his life."

Such comments haven't stopped speculation from suggesting Rodgers is likely to strengthen his attack during the January transfer window. Portuguese paper Record indicates a move for Porto's Jackson Martinez could be on the cards, as tweeted by 101 Great Goals:

Liverpool are currently five points adrift of the Champions League places. Rodgers' team have lost their last four matches and face an important string of matches against Ludogorets, Stoke City and Leicester City. Three wins are desperately needed to aid the side's confidence and quest to compete across all competitions.

January reinforcements are inevitable, particularly if Liverpool's form continues to stutter.