November 6th 2024.
Xabi Alonso's return to Anfield with Bayer Leverkusen did not go as planned, as his team suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat at the hands of Liverpool on Tuesday. Despite the loss, Alonso believes that Liverpool, under the guidance of Arne Slot, have a lot of potential in both the Premier League and the Champions League this season.
The game saw Luis Diaz score an impressive hat-trick and Cody Gakpo also find the back of the net, securing Liverpool's spot at the top of the Champions League table with 12 points from four games. In the Premier League, they sit two points ahead of Manchester City after a strong start to the season with 10 matches played.
When asked to give his thoughts on Liverpool's current level under Slot, Alonso praised the team, saying, "I think they are a very complete team. They have the ability to defend, score, and be strong in both boxes. They are also capable of keeping clean sheets and scoring with limited chances, which is a great strength to have in the Champions League, especially as you progress to the next round."
Despite acknowledging Liverpool's strengths, Alonso believes it is still too early to make any definite predictions. He stated, "Yes, they have this power, but it's important to remember that it's only November. The team is in a good moment, the coach is doing great work, and the season is looking promising, but we must not get ahead of ourselves."
Meanwhile, Slot emphasized the importance of maintaining intensity in order to continue their impressive start to the season. He acknowledged that Liverpool's last game against Brighton was a difficult one, as they had to fight hard for a 2-1 win. Slot said, "We have to work really hard and play with an incredible high intensity to win our games. Every team we face, including Bayer Leverkusen, considers Anfield to be one of the best and most challenging places to play against a top team like Liverpool."
He added, "So, it's crucial that we maintain our consistency in intensity, which is not always easy, but it's necessary to achieve our goals. If we continue to produce this level of performance, it won't be easy, but we will get the wins we want."
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