"It feels good to be back here but I don't want it to be about me, it's about the match tomorrow and the players," stressed Xabi Alonso at the start of the press conference. "I've not thought about it that much in the run-up. My thoughts have been more on optimum preparation for the game."
Granit Xhaka also spoke about his experiences at Anfield: "I've got good and not so good memories here. Of course, I've told my team-mates about them. Tomorrow is a big challenge but also a big chance for us. We have a clear plan and want to assert our game."
Continuing to focus on the match, Alonso added: "We can expect a great game at this special place. They're in very good form at the moment – both in the Premier League and in the Champions League. They play a very high speed and intensity and have several options in the squad. They're one of the best teams in Europe."
Xhaka reserved particular praise for Liverpool star Mohamed Salah: "He brings a lot of quality. He's had an incredible career and continued to improve. He's become a big legend here, in my opinion. You certainly have to double-up on him because he's always dangerous - particularly on his left foot, but he also makes a lot of assists and is physically strong."
Nevertheless, the coach does not intend to change his team's own style of play. "We're well prepared," said Alonso. "We have our principles - both sporting and mental. Of course, you always change things here and there, it's a fluid process. But we produced our best performance so far against Stuttgart last time out, and that's how we want to perform again."
Alonso is without Nordi Mukiele (muscle strain) for the clash with the Premier League leaders. His players will therefore "have to stand tight together as a team, so that everyone helps". Martin Terrier will also not be involved. The forward did join in with training on Monday morning but has stayed in Leverkusen as he doesn't yet feel "his best", confirmed the Spaniard.
Leverkusen will be supported by 3,200 fans at Anfield on Tuesday night.
Xabi Alonso spent five years as a player at Liverpool. It was where he developed into a global star, winning the Champions League with The Reds in 2005 and, subsequently, three more trophies. Now he's making his first return to the Anfield Road as Bayer 04 coach. We reflect on his time at the club and take a look back at the Werkself's two previous encounters with the Liverpudlians.
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Bayer 04 are away at Liverpool for Matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League’s league phase on Wednesday. Ahead of the trip to Anfield, we’ve got some travel tips for all fans making the journey, thanks to our partner weloveholidays.
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The next opponents in the 2024/25 DFB Pokal have been confirmed: The Werkself are away to Bayern Munich in the Round of 16. That was the outcome of the draw held on Sunday night, 3 November, at the German Football Museum in Dortmund. DFB sporting director Rudi Völler led the draw with European championship saxophonist André Schnura picking out the teams.
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ARD’s Sportschau has released the five nominees for October 2024’s Goal of the Month in Germany, with Aleix Garcia’s free-kick in the DFB Pokal against Elversberg on the shortlist. Bayer 04 fans have until 7pm CET on 23 November to vote.
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Bayer 04 will be without Nordi Mukiele for the coming two games away at Liverpool and Bochum. The French defender suffered a muscular injury in his left thigh in Friday’s Bundesliga match against VfB Stuttgart.
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