Garcia hopes Alonso's Chelsea finish behind Liverpool

According to BBC Sport, Luis Garcia has revealed he hopes Xabi Alonso's Chelsea will finish behind Liverpool in the Premier League this season. The two former Liverpool teammates met during a pre-season encounter between the clubs, and the friendly rivalry was firmly on display.

Garcia, who played alongside Alonso at Anfield and was part of the 2005 Champions League-winning side, said he wants his former club to come out on top. "Xabi is a great friend, but I hope his Chelsea team finishes second to Liverpool," Garcia was quoted as saying.

The comments come as both teams continue their preparations for the new campaign. While the meeting was billed as a pre-season friendly, the bond between the two Spanish legends remains strong, with Garcia backing Liverpool to claim the upper hand over Chelsea when the season truly begins.

Fans can find highlights of the pre-season clash and other related match action on this site.