UEFA Champions League Tuesday: Liverpool host Bayer Leverkusen

Xabi Alonso returns to Liverpool Football Club as coach for the first time with Bayer Leverkusen. The 42-year-old Spaniard enjoyed the greatest moments of his career with the Reds.

Alonso initially did not want to talk about the emotions surrounding his return to Liverpool. He said there was still time shortly before the game. But when curiosity exceeded expectations a few days ago, the Basque finally spoke. At least a little bit. “Playing in the Champions League at Anfield – it's hard to do better,” Alonso said. He could have talked more about his time with the Reds before Tuesday night's game.

For example, about the unique atmosphere of the legendary Anfield Road, where the former midfield conductor played regularly between 2004 and 2009. Or perhaps the best Champions League final in history so far, when he and Liverpool beat AC Milan from 3-0 down in 2005 and scored an important goal himself. Alonso still remembers the early autumn of 2006 when he scored what was probably the most spectacular goal of his career from 50 meters out against Newcastle United, but was not rich in goals.

Alonso is already on Liverpool's books

So there was plenty of material for the images that flashed through Alonso's mind when he returned to England. He could even come back sooner rather than later because, if media reports are to be believed, he is at the top of Liverpool's coaching wish list this summer. At that time LFC wanted to sign Jurgen Klopp's successor, and of course Alonso's name was an obvious one. However, the Spaniards decided to stay in the Werkself.

Arne Slot becomes Liverpool manager. Alonso couldn't have done better than the Dutchman as Liverpool top the Premier League table after ten matchdays. In the Premier League, Liverpool are the only team other than Aston Villa to win all three games so far.

“I know what it's like to play there,” said Granit Xhaka, who played several times with Arsenal at Liverpool between 2016 and 2023 but never won (apart from the midway point of the Carabao Cup ball winning). “It's the Champions League, it's at Liverpool in the evening – first of all we have to enjoy it.” For almost all the players in Leverkusen's squad, hearing fans singing “You'll never walk alone” in the sold-out stadium ”, it’s going to be something special. But it's also crucial for Xhaka and his team not to be fooled by the special atmosphere.

Swiss Conflict in Bologna

There's a Swiss duel in Bologna, 1,500 kilometers south of Liverpool – at least on paper. Italy's Champions League newcomers take on Monaco, with both teams boasting a trio of Swiss internationals. Michel Abisher, Remo Freuler and Dan Ndoye play for Bologna, while Brell Embolo, Philippe Cohen and Denis Zakaria play for Monaco. However, only half of the Swiss staff will actually be on the pitch. Abisher and Zakaria are both missing due to injuries, and Cohen can only sit on the bench after the return of main goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki.

Monaco will probably have to lose captain Denis Zakaria.Image: trapezoid

While Monaco have made their best start with seven points from their first three games, including a 2-1 win over Barcelona, ​​Bologna are still waiting for their first Premier League goal. On Wednesday, YB's opponents Shakhtar Donetsk drew 0-0, and then lost 0-2 away to Aston Villa and Liverpool. The form curve in the league is different: Bologna has recently won two consecutive games, and Monaco has lost its last two games. (Sudanese Development Authority/Department of Political Affairs)

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