Programme notesArne Slot: The biggest respect we can pay Xabi is to be the best Liverpool

Former Liverpool midfielder Alonso returns to the Reds’ stadium as an opponent for the first time as the clubs clash in the Champions League (8pm GMT kick-off).

Following a thrilling 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at home last Saturday, Slot’s men are aiming to enhance a European run that has yielded three victories out of three so far this season.

Writing in his matchday programme notes, the head coach acknowledges the fond welcome that Alonso will be given in L4 while insisting the greatest respect he can be paid is serving up the very best of Liverpool as an opponent.

“Bayer Leverkusen are a side which has the ability to hurt any opponent so we have to be ready for this reality and face up to it with as much energy, quality and intensity that we can produce,” says Slot.

“Everyone in football was impressed with what Leverkusen did last season. How could you not be? To become champions of Germany is a wonderful achievement in itself but to do so without losing a single game makes it even more remarkable.

“They also had to show all of the characteristics of champions. There were games in which they were dominant, games in which they were not at their best but still found a way, and games in which their quality was so high that it was impossible not to view them as one of the strongest teams in Europe.

“Of course, a lot of this is down to their head coach, Xabi Alonso, someone who I know does not need any introduction to our supporters, who recall him with incredible fondness for what he did as a player at Liverpool. I was not a Liverpool supporter but I have always been a football fan and anyone from my generation who falls into this category would share this admiration.

“Xabi was a top-class player and he is proving himself to be of the same level as a manager. I would like to welcome him back to Anfield and I know that in doing so I will be in tune with the feelings of everyone who is inside the stadium tonight. In doing this, though, we are all aware that there will be no sentimentality from him and this means that there cannot be any from us.

“The maximum respect we can give any former player is to be the best Liverpool that we can possibly be, with no quarter asked and no quarter given.

“This was definitely our approach during the second half on Saturday and it brought us a really important win. It was not just the case on the pitch either. It was exactly the same in the stands and the incredible noise which was produced was definitely the loudest that I have experienced since I have been at Liverpool.

“Perhaps it would be greedy to look for a repeat but in the spirit of there being no harm in asking, it would be wonderful if collectively we could look to reach those kinds of levels again. Energy in the stands brings energy among the players and vice-versa. It is a virtuous circle that I know has served this club incredibly well over the years so the more that we can bring it to the stadium the better.”

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