Xabi Alonso rates Liverpool’s Champions League chances after Bayer Leverkusen defeat
Xabi Alonso endured a miserable return to Anfield with Bayer Leverkusen (AFP via Getty) Xabi Alonso believes Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League hopes look ‘promising’ under Arne Slot following their 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday evening. Luis Diaz scored a second-half hat-trick while Cody Gakpo also found the net at Anfield to push Liverpool top of the Champions League table with 12 points from four games. Slot’s side have also made an excellent start in the Premier League as they currently sit two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table after 10 matches. When asked to assess Liverpool’s current level under Slot, Alonso said after Leverkusen’s defeat: ‘I think that they are a very complete team. ‘I think that they are able to defend, to score, to be good to have power in the boxes, they are able to keep clean sheets, they are able with not many chances to score goals, and that’s a great strength for Champions League especially, especially when you go to the next round. Luis Diaz scored a hat-trick as Liverpool sealed a 4-0 win against Bayer Leverkusen (Getty) ‘Yes, they have this power but it’s still too early to tell. ‘They are in a good moment, the team has good balance, the coach is doing great work so far, it’s looking a promising season but we are still in November.’ Meanwhile, Slot insists Liverpool must maintain their ‘intensity’ in order to extend their impressive start to the season. ‘You only look at the results but Brighton last Saturday was a difficult one where we were 1-0 behind, we had to fight really hard – and I think that’s also what you saw today,’ Slot said. ‘We have to work really hard, play with an incredible high intensity to win our games, and that has a lot to do with teams – I heard Bayer Leverkusen saying this as well – they think, and I have to agree with them, that Anfield is the best place to play in, one of the nicest stadiums to play in and against a very good team. ‘So, every team that plays against us is in the top of their game. And if you want to win that, you always have to be consistent in your intensity, and that’s not always easy but that is what’s needed. ‘And if we can keep producing that then it’s still not easy but then we get our wins in and that is what we want.’ For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Xabi Alonso believes Liverpool’s Premier League and Champions League hopes look ‘promising’ under Arne Slot following their 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday evening.
Luis Diaz scored a second-half hat-trick while Cody Gakpo also found the net at Anfield to push Liverpool top of the Champions League table with 12 points from four games.
Slot’s side have also made an excellent start in the Premier League as they currently sit two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table after 10 matches.
When asked to assess Liverpool’s current level under Slot, Alonso said after Leverkusen’s defeat: ‘I think that they are a very complete team.
‘I think that they are able to defend, to score, to be good to have power in the boxes, they are able to keep clean sheets, they are able with not many chances to score goals, and that’s a great strength for Champions League especially, especially when you go to the next round.
‘Yes, they have this power but it’s still too early to tell.
‘They are in a good moment, the team has good balance, the coach is doing great work so far, it’s looking a promising season but we are still in November.’
Meanwhile, Slot insists Liverpool must maintain their ‘intensity’ in order to extend their impressive start to the season.
‘You only look at the results but Brighton last Saturday was a difficult one where we were 1-0 behind, we had to fight really hard – and I think that’s also what you saw today,’ Slot said.
‘We have to work really hard, play with an incredible high intensity to win our games, and that has a lot to do with teams – I heard Bayer Leverkusen saying this as well – they think, and I have to agree with them, that Anfield is the best place to play in, one of the nicest stadiums to play in and against a very good team.
‘So, every team that plays against us is in the top of their game. And if you want to win that, you always have to be consistent in your intensity, and that’s not always easy but that is what’s needed.
‘And if we can keep producing that then it’s still not easy but then we get our wins in and that is what we want.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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