Xabi Alonso returns to Anfield for the primary time on Tuesday, as his Bayer Leverkusen aspect tackle Liverpool within the Champions League, the trophy he helped the Reds win in 2005.
Alonso performed 210 video games for Liverpool between 2004 and 2009, with the spotlight undoubtedly being the miracle comeback within the Reds’ Champions League remaining win over AC Milan in Istanbul.
The Spaniard scored Liverpool’s third purpose in seven minutes to deliver them degree to 3-3 earlier than they went on to win on penalties.
Alonso, 42, stays vastly widespread with Liverpool followers and will have been within the residence dugout had issues gone otherwise.
– ‘An exquisite problem’ –
Final season, after Jurgen Klopp’s shock choice to depart the membership, Liverpool followers — who had taken discover of Alonso’s unbelievable run at Leverkusen — have been hoping he might be headed to Merseyside.
Alonso although knocked again the reported curiosity from Liverpool in addition to from former sides Actual Madrid and Bayern Munich to remain at Leverkusen, who he had on observe for a first-ever German top-flight title.
Alonso nonetheless speaks fondly of his time as a participant on Merseyside and after Friday’s scoreless draw with Stuttgart, he stated he was eagerly awaiting his return.
“Champions League at Anfield? It does not get significantly better than that,” he stated.
“This sport means quite a bit to me. It will likely be a giant sport. To play within the Champions League, at Anfield, it is tough to expertise something higher.
“The ambiance is nice. Liverpool is among the finest groups in Europe in the meanwhile. It is an enormous problem however a stupendous problem for us.”
Any remorse at lacking out on Alonso is prone to have subsided amongst Liverpool followers, given their spectacular begin underneath Dutchman Arne Slot.
With 13 wins and a draw from 15 matches — formally the most effective begin of any new Reds supervisor — Slot has Liverpool sitting prime of the Premier League desk.
In Europe, Liverpool are alongside Aston Villa as one in all solely two sides to have gained three from three.
– Second season syndrome? –
In his first full season as a top-flight coach, Alonso took Leverkusen to an unbeaten league and cup double — the primary in German soccer historical past — in addition to a Europa League remaining.
The loss in that remaining, a 3-0 defeat to Atalanta in Dublin when Leverkusen ran out of steam, was their solely defeat in 53 video games final season.
However Leverkusen have struggled to recreate final season’s heroics to this point.
Within the Bundesliga, they’ve already dropped 11 factors in 9 video games, having dropped simply 12 in a 34-game season final yr.
Leverkusen’s woes have primarily come on the defensive finish, having already conceded 15 targets in comparison with 24 final marketing campaign.
Issues have been higher within the Champions League, the place Alonso’s aspect have gained two, together with a dominant victory over Milan, and drawn one in all their three video games.
With Leverkusen having retained the overwhelming majority of their squad, the problem appears to be not one in all expertise however of need.
Midfielder Granit Xhaka has incessantly questioned his aspect’s utility this season, with Leverkusen typically affected by lapses of focus.
With Liverpool now simply days away, Leverkusen could have lastly shaken off the hangover from final season.
Regardless of dropping extra factors in Friday’s scoreless draw with Stuttgart, Leverkusen resembled final season’s all conquering aspect.
“That was our greatest efficiency of the season,” Xhaka informed DAZN.
Alonso agreed, saying: “I am very glad with the efficiency and the angle from the lads — we have been solely lacking the targets.
“If we play like that towards Liverpool, then we’ll have a greater likelihood to win.”
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