Xabi Alonso saluted the “fantastic” impact of Liverpool head coach Arne Slot as he warned his Bayer Leverkusen side they will be facing “one of the best teams in Europe”.
The former Spain midfielder, who served Liverpool with distinction between 2004 and 2009, is relishing being back on Merseyside ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash at Anfield.
“It’s always special,” he said.
“You notice the development of the club. The new Anfield Road Stand looks pretty amazing.
“I know the city very well. I loved it and I have friends here. Maybe tomorrow I will go for a walk or a run but I won’t have time for tourism. My focus is only on the game.
“Liverpool are in a great moment. I followed Arne Slot when he was at Feyenoord. I know his approach. That combined with the intensity here at Liverpool is a nice mixture.
“That’s why they are top of the Premier League and the Champions League. In all areas they are strong.
“The manager has done a fantastic job in the past three months. For us it’s a big challenge to come here. At the moment Liverpool are one of the best if not the best team in Europe. We have our plan so let’s see what happens.”
Alonso was initially regarded as the early favourite to take over at Anfield after Jurgen Klopp announced in January his intention to step down.
However, in March he ruled himself out of the running for both the Liverpool and Bayern Munich jobs when he declared that he would be staying at Leverkusen, who were on the brink of winning a first Bundesliga title.
Asked if taking over from Klopp was ever a serious option, Alonso said: “At that time I was focused. I had a big feeling with the players.”
He also refused to be drawn on the prospect of one day taking the Liverpool job.
“Let’s talk about the game tomorrow. That’s more interesting than my future,” he added.
“It’s a big one with great players on both sides.
“I’m not thinking about (the reception I’ll get from the Kop). I’m thinking more about how to prepare the game. I will tell you after the game how I feel.
“The main thing is not me, it’s the players, and how they deal with the emotions you get in this stadium. You need to prepare yourself mentally.”
Alonso was part of Liverpool’s remarkable Champions League final triumph over AC Milan in 2005.
“After almost 20 years I still get asked about the miracle that night,” he said.
“It was the beginning of something great we started in 2005. Fantastic memories. Istanbul is the iconic moment for me.”
(Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)
