Xabi Alonso returns to Anfield on Tuesday for Bayer Leverkusen’s Champions League visit to Liverpool.
Arne Slot is currently enjoying an 11-game unbeaten run at Liverpool, with the Reds top of the Premier League and attaining a 100 percent Champions League record. The head coach has a concern over the next few days, though.
Ibrahima Konate was forced off with an arm injury at half-time in Saturday’s win over Brighton & Hove Albion and is consequently a doubt for Tuesday’s European clash with Bayer Leverkusen. Konate has started every continental match so far this term.
Joe Gomez might be spying a third start of the season against Leverkusen in midweek if Konate is deemed unfit to feature. He was very praiseful of the Anfield crowd after putting in a solid display in the second half against Brighton.
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Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler also noted the raucous volume of the home support during the match, saying it was the loudest atmosphere he has managed in so far since arriving in England. Leverkusen boss and former Liverpool ace Xabi Alonso says he knows exactly what to expect on Tuesday.
Alonso: Anfield crowd are ‘super’
Alonso has spoken about his forthcoming return to Anfield, having been connected with the head coach role over the summer before Slot was appointed. Liverpool were hotly tipped to move for the Bundesliga champion before he announced he would stay in Germany.
Speaking during a recent press conference, Alonso said of Tuesday’s clash: “It’s a huge game. To play in the Champions League at Anfield, it can’t get much better than that.
“The atmosphere is super. They are one of the best teams in Europe, they are dominant so it’s a huge challenge, they will make it difficult for us.”
Leverkusen, who went unbeaten in Germany last season, are already lagging seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich in the title race this time around. They have accumulated seven points from their first three Champions League matches.
Gomez hails home support
Liverpool fans broke out in chorus during the second half against Brighton, chanting the name of Gomez. The defender has been used sparingly by Slot so far, with both of his starts coming only in the League Cup.
He had played just over 10 minutes in the Premier League prior to his outing on Saturday. Gomez is nevertheless appreciative of the vibrant reception he received from the Anfield crowd this weekend.
“It’s always special,” Gomez said when asked about the ferocious chanting of his name by LFC TV. “Obviously, this is home for me, and the club means everything to me.
“But the most important thing, it’s cliché, but we got the win, and we keep the momentum heading into a big game in the Champions League.”
Gomez was part of a £45million deal agreed with Newcastle United within a £75m package for Antony Gordon this summer before talks fell through. The 27-year-old, who has more than 230 Liverpool games to his name, has just over 18 months left on his contract.
