MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 11:32:18| >> :120:3835:3835:
[monks data]
Liverpool logo
Champions League | League Stage
Nov 5, 2024 at 8pm UK
Anfield
Leverkusen logo

Liverpool
vs.
B. Leverkusen

Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen: Xabi Alonso responds to Anfield manager question ahead of Champions League tie

© Imago
Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso opens up on the speculation linking him with succeeding Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager last season, before the arrival of Arne Slot in the summer.

Xabi Alonso has insisted that he was fully "focused" on his job at Bayer Leverkusen at the time he was linked with succeeding Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager.

As soon as Klopp announced his decision to end his legendary nine-year reign at Anfield, former Reds midfielder Alonso was tipped by many to replace the German.

However, it is understood that Liverpool were informed early in their search for a new manager that Alonso had no plans to parts ways with Leverkusen at the end of last season.

The 42-year-old was in charge of a Leverkusen outfit who enjoyed a historic 2023-24 campaign, winning the club's first-ever Bundesliga title and going the entire league season unbeaten, as well as winning the DFB-Pokal.

Leverkusen almost completed the treble, but their record-breaking 51-game unbeaten run across all competitions over a 361-day period was ended in the Europa League final by Atalanta BC, who won 3-0.

Manager of Bayer Leverkusen Xabi Alonso during his side's clash against Eintracht Frankfurt, on October 19, 2024© Imago

Alonso addresses Liverpool managerial speculation

Alonso is now preparing for an emotional return to Anfield, where he spent five memorable years of his playing career between 2004 and 2009, as his Leverkusen side lock horns with Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

The Spaniard, a 2005 Champions League winner with Liverpool, is looking forward to his return to the club on the touchline and has opened up on why he did not succeed Klopp.

"At the time I was focused on a big thing with Leverkusen," Alonso told reporters at his pre-match press conference. "Let's talk about the game tomorrow, it's more interesting than my future. Let's talk about the great players on both sides, that is what is in my head."

"For us it is a big challenge to come here. Liverpool at the moment is one of the best if not the best in Europe, they are showing that in a very strong Premier League and the Champions League. It's a good squad, good coach. At Anfield, it's a big challenge."

"It feels great to be back after a few years. It's always special," he added. "You notice the development of the club, the new stands look pretty amazing. For sure tomorrow is a big game against Liverpool in a great moment, it cannot get much better than that.

"I am not thinking that much (about how he will be received). I am thinking more about how to prepare for the game. I might think about my memories when I go for a walk or a run tomorrow. I know the city, I love it and I still have friends here, but I don't have time for tourism."

Liverpool manager Arne Slot during the Premier League match against Crystal Palace, on October 5, 2024© Imago

Slot: 'Alonso is special, that's clear'

Liverpool eventually plumped for Arne Slot to succeed Klopp and the Dutchman has made an exceptional start to life on Merseyside, becoming the club's first manager in history to win eight of his first 10 Premier League games in charge.

Slot, who sees his Liverpool side sitting top of the Premier League table, has heaped praise on Alonso for the transformative work that he has carried out at Leverkusen, telling reporters: "He is special, that's clear.

"If you go to a club that was bottom of the league and with the same players bring them all the way up without spending that much money, only bringing in one or two very good players, and then the season they had, only losing in the final of the Europa League, that tells you he is special.

"What it is that makes him special is difficult for me to say because I haven't faced him yet and I haven't worked with him.

"What might be the situation is that he's worked with very good managers in the past, he was a player with incredible insight in the game, he knew when to be where and he played at the highest level so he knows and understands how these players feel in certain moments. That probably contributes to what makes him a good manager."

Both Liverpool and Leverkusen are unbeaten after three Champions League games so far this season, with the latter currently on seven points and sitting sixth in the 36-team table, two points behind the former in second with a maximum nine points.

ID:557362:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6017:No Data Analysis info

Click here for more stories about Xabi Alonso

Click here for more stories about Liverpool

Data Failed

Who will win Tuesday's Champions League clash between Liverpool and B. Leverkusen?

Liverpool
Draw
Bayer Leverkusen
Liverpool
71.2%
Draw
19.5%
Bayer Leverkusen
9.4%
267
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister pictured on May 19, 2024
Read Next:
Walking a tightrope: Which two Liverpool stars could miss Real Madrid clash?
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Aston Villa33009
2Liverpool33009
3Man City32107
4B. Leverkusen32107
5Brest32107
6Inter Milan32107
7Monaco32107
8Sporting Lisbon32107
9Arsenal32107
10Real Madrid32016
11Lille32016
12Feyenoord32016
13Barcelona32016
14Dortmund32016
15Benfica32016
16Juventus32016
17Atalanta31205
18Stuttgart31114
19Sparta Prague31114
20PSG31114
21Celtic31114
22Dinamo Zagreb31114
23AC Milan31023
24Bayern31023
25Girona31023
26Brugge31023
27Atletico31023
28PSV30212
29Bologna30121
30Shakhtar30121
31RB Leipzig30030
32Sturm Graz30030
33Salzburg30030
34Red Star30030
35Young Boys30030
36Slovan Bratislava30030


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!