Liverpool Transfer News: Xabi Alonso Battle Expected, Kevin Grosskreutz Rumours

Liverpool's battle to re-sign Xabi Alonso may be tougher than first thought following reports Real Madrid also want the midfielder, while Kevin Grosskreutz could link back up with Jurgen Klopp at Anfield this winter.

Alonso is free to sign a pre-contract agreement in January when he enters the last six months of his Bayern Munich deal, but Los Blancos boss Rafa Benitez also wants the veteran, according to Vozpopuli (h/t talkSPORT).

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The 34-year-old moved to the Allianz Arena in 2014 and appears unlikely to sign a contract extension with Bayern, especially with Pep Guardiola's contract at the club also coming to an end next summer.

Alonso recently spoke to Andreas Koenigl of Goal and refused to rule out the possibility of a Liverpool comeback when quizzed on his chances of a move back to Merseyside:

"At the moment I am focused on the season and Bayern. I don't know what is going to happen in [the] future but hopefully I will know soon. My family and I are feeling very comfortable in Munich and we are happy here."

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It was Benitez who brought Alonso to Anfield in 2004 before the playmaker moved to Real Madrid in 2009, and the promise of competing for European honours back at the Bernabeu may prove a tempting reunion.

OptaFranz illustrated how, despite ebbing further into his 30s, Alonso remains among the Bundesliga's elite when it comes to involvement on the pitch:

With Steven Gerrard no longer around, Liverpool may be lacking in wisdom, but there's a chance Klopp won't be as eager as his Real Madrid counterpart to sign the ageing Alonso when he becomes available.

One player the German may be eager to link up with, however, is former Borussia Dortmund charge Grosskreutz, who has been caught in a paperwork nightmare for the past three months following a botched move to Galatasaray.

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Neil Moxley of the Sunday People explained Gala filed the 27-year-old's paperwork late following an August transfer, meaning he couldn't be registered and has had to wait until January 1 to make his debut for the club.

But it appears Grosskreutz now has no intention of playing on for Galatasaray following the delayed £1.5 million move, and an affordable reunion with Klopp could work well for all parties. Sport Witness cited German newspaper Bild, which reported his desire to move on from Istanbul:

Grosskreutz is regarded as a dedicated team player and was fielded in a huge variety of positions during his time at Signal Iduna Park, ranging from wide midfield to full-back and across the attacking line.

In terms of winter recruits, there may not be many more available assets as valuable halfway through the campaign, where options across the field will be exactly what Klopp is seeking.