“Slot prepares to take on 'special' Alonso at Anfield homecoming”

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Liverpool coach Arne Slot praised Xabi Alonso's record at Bayer Leverkusen ahead of the Spaniard's return to Anfield in the Champions League with the German champions on Tuesday.

Alonso, who scored when Liverpool won the Champions League final in 2005, was reportedly the Reds' top target to replace Jurgen Klopp as manager at the end of last season.

The 42-year-old chose to stay in Germany instead after leading Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title and DFB Cup without losing a game, as well as reaching the Europa League final.

Slot has been tasked with the daunting task of succeeding Klopp but has made a remarkable start with 13 wins and a draw from his first 15 games in all competitions.

Liverpool are at the top of the Premier League, have reached the quarter-finals of the League Cup and have made a perfect start to the Champions League thanks to victories over AC Milan, Bologna and RB Leipzig.

“It's a big European game,” Slot said at his pre-match press conference.

“Also for what Xabi Alonso has done for this club, especially in Europe. Maybe more for the way he manages Leverkusen, the way he manages them domestically. They were also incredible in Europe last season.”

“I think they are just as good this season but a little more unlucky in terms of results.”

Leverkusen has struggled to reach last season's standards as it sits fourth in the Bundesliga, seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich.

But they are also well on their way to the knockout rounds of the Champions League after picking up seven points from their first three games.

“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 added of Alonso.

“When he took over he didn’t spend much, mostly with the same players, and they only lost in the Europa League final.”

“He has worked with incredible managers in the past and played at the highest level. That’s why he knows and understands what players feel in certain moments.”

Liverpool needed a much-improved second-half performance to beat Brighton 2-1 on Saturday and move to the top of the Premier League

Mohamed Salah scored the winner with a stunning strike, but subsequently provoked further speculation about his future with a social media post.

“No matter what happens, I will never forget how it feels to score at Anfield,” said the Egyptian, whose contract expires at the end of the season.

Salah is one of three key Liverpool stars whose contracts expire in June.

Captain Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold also still have to agree on new terms.

However, Slot will be hoping they can maintain their form so far this season despite the uncertainty.

“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,” Slot added.

“That will continue until their future is unclear, but in the meantime we hope they perform.”

kca/yr