Liverpool face losing Xabi Alonso at the end of the season.

The Daily Mail says Real Madrid will step up their attempts to seal an £18m transfer for Alonso this week after his agent told Liverpool the Spain midfielder wants to leave Anfield.

Alonso, 27, came close to joining Juventus for £16m last summer, but has still been one of Liverpool's best performers this season.

However, his representative Inaki Ibanez met with manager Rafael Benitez on Friday and confirmed the player is ready to end his five-year stay on Merseyside.

Madrid lead the chase for Alonso, who is also attracting interest from Manchester City, but Benitez could look to use him as part of a deal for one of his own transfer targets.