Liverpool's slot praises Alonso as a 'special' player ahead of Anfield clash

Arne Slot has described Bayer Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso as a “special manager” ahead of Liverpool's Champions League clash against the German champions on Tuesday.

Alonso's Leverkusen team remained unbeaten in the Bundesliga last season on their way to the first championship title in their history. The club also won the DFB Cup last season, with their only defeat in all competitions coming in the Europa League final against Atalanta.

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder was considered the leading candidate to succeed Jurgen Klopp at Anfield after the German stepped down at the end of last season before opting to stay at Leverkusen until the end of the 2024-2025 season.

“It's hard to say what makes him a special manager unless you work with him on a daily basis, but he is, that's clear,” Slot said at a news conference on Monday.

“When he took over he didn't spend a lot of money, mainly with the same players and they only lost in the Europa League final. What makes him special is tough because I haven't competed against him or worked with him.” But the situation could be that he has worked with incredible managers in the past and played at the highest level, so he knows and understands he also what players feel in certain moments.

“It all contributes to what kind of manager he is. The best way to find out what makes him special is to ask the players he worked with.”

The Leverkusen coach is well known in Liverpool, having played 210 games for the club from 2004 to 2009 and was instrumental in the club's success, including the Champions League triumph in 2005, but he will not have time to reminisce.

“Unfortunately there is no time for tourism – maybe a little run or walk tomorrow. I know the city very well, I love it, but tomorrow I will concentrate on the game and only the game,” he said.

“It feels great to be back here after a few years. It's always special. You can see the development of the club; the new stands look fantastic. There’s a big game against Liverpool tomorrow, it can’t get much better than that.”

Alonso acknowledged the challenge his team faced against his former club.

“It’s a big challenge for us. Liverpool are one of the best, if not the best, in Europe at the moment, they show that in the Premier League and the Champions League, they have a good squad, a great coach. We're looking.” “We're looking forward to it, let's see what happens,” said Alonso.

“You can play great for 70 minutes and (the game) is over in 20 minutes, so we have to be mentally and emotionally ready.”

Liverpool are at the top of the Premier League after ten games and go into Tuesday's duel as joint leaders of the Champions League with nine points. Their strong start to the season is even more impressive when you consider the uncertainty about the future of three of their top performers: Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The trio's contract expires at the end of the season and extensions have yet to be agreed. On Sunday, Salah published a cryptic post on Instagram in which he said: “No matter what happens. I’ll never forget what it felt like to score at Anfield.”

However, Slot said he was not worried by the Egyptian's social media activity.

“I don’t look at the players’ Instagram posts, I talk to them. Mo is doing very well at the moment. He has always been at Liverpool, but at the moment too,” he said.

“I hope he can post another one after tomorrow and Saturday. For me it is important what he tells me. That’s what matters, not how you interpret this post.”

Information from Reuters was used in this story.