He was watching Liverpool play in the FA Cup final against Chelsea FC, even though kickoff for Real Madrid’s game against Granada was fast approaching.
The Spanish international played five standout seasons for LFC before joining Real Madrid in 2009.
Alonso was following (possibly watching live) the game on his mobile phone … on the Real Madrid bench. It must have been rough on the 30-year-old as his former team laboured through the first hour of the game.
That all changed when Andy Carroll came off the bench and scored within 10 minutes. Liverpool was piling on the pressure when Alonso decided to give his coach an update on the proceedings. He told Mourinho that there was 20 minutes left to play, and his expression mirrored the belief that Reds everywhere held at that point in the contest.
Mourinho, ever the cool customer, responded with a nod and a shrug. It’s been nearly five years since he was Chelsea manager, but many of his old guard are enjoying their golden years in West London. He keeps in regular contact with some of his former players, although it is unclear if he was giving them instructions during the final itself. Either way, we’re not fooled by his nonchalance.
There is no telling how the pair reacted to Carroll’s ghost goal. It’s likely that the debate is still raging in the Spanish capital.
Watch the video below to see the moment of tension between Alonso and Mourinho.
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Photo via Flickr/Anna Enriquez
