Alonso talks Mbappe, Vinicius, Wirtz, Anfield return ahead of Liverpool vs Real Madrid | OneFootball

One of the biggest matches of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League group stage comes our way tomorrow as record champions Real Madrid take on Premier League title-holders Liverpool at Anfield.

A clash of the heavyweights of Europe, it will be a special occasion for Los Blancos manager Xabi Alonso as he returns to Anfield, where he is revered as a legend from his successful stint with the Reds as a player.

The Spanish tactician has done a solid job at Real Madrid, having led them to a strong start to the season – top of the table in La Liga and three wins in three in the UEFA Champions League.

The 100% winning record in Europe, however, could be put to serious test tomorrow at Anfield.

Alonso on his time with Liverpool

Ahead of the big game, Alonso addressed the media, discussing various topics, kicking things off with what it means for him to be back a Anfield.

“It always feels good to return to a place where you have been loved so much,” said the Real Madrid boss.

“It was very important, it wasn’t just a meaningless step. I was there for five years and I learned a lot. Not just about playing, but also about thinking. It helped me to be here. You love football and you love playing for a club like this.”

Discussing what makes Anfield a special venue and often a daunting one for opposition, Alonso remarked:

“Many of them have experienced it, recently for the worse and not so long ago for the better. Those moments in the game when there seems to be a force… they are very experienced players who know how to respond well in heated environments.

“It’s the players who have to play, and I can’t do it from the bench.”

Alonso took a walk down the memory lane, talking about his infamous penalty for Liverpool in the iconic UCL final against AC Milan in Istanbul – the one he missed before scoring the rebound to make it 3-3, putting the Reds on track for the victory.

“In the last league game, Gerrard took the penalty and missed. The following week we played the final and Rafa (Benítez) designated me as the penalty taker, or Kewell. And when it happened, Kewell wasn’t there,” reminisced Alonso.

“I took it, missed it, but scored on the second attempt. And it changed the history.”

On whether he is emotional heading into what is certainly a special match for him, Alonso remarked:

A special night for Xabi Alonso. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

 “I try not to let my emotions get the better of me. I don’t want them to change my preparation… and what’s meant to happen will happen. Distancing myself from the emotions of these matches is important so I can be more focused on what I have to do.”

On his players

Apart from Alonso, it will also be a special moment for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who returns to Liverpool – his boyhood club – for the first time after leaving them for Real Madrid in the summer.

The right-back has not played a single minute in the last two matches despite recovering from a hamstring injury. But Alonso assured that the 27-year-old is ready to step up.

“He’s fine, he didn’t play the other day because of the circumstances of the match. He’s available and can play tomorrow. We need him because he has tremendous quality. We have to help him and give him what he needs to perform,” he said.

Trent could be in for a hostile reception, however, with a large section of Liverpool fans being unhappy over the manner of his departure earlier this year. On whether he had spoken with the Englishman regarding the situation, Alonso stated:

“We haven’t talked about this, to be honest. He needs to have his own feelings and experience them in his own way. His story is different; he grew up here… I remember when he came up to train with us from the youth academy.”

Moving back to the match, Alonso made it clear that Kylian Mbappe remains Real Madrid’s first penalty-taker, although the players can decide things between themselves on the pitch.

“No, we decide who the penalty taker is… and then they make the decisions. Tomorrow it will be Kylian again,” he reiterated.

As for the controversy involving Vinicius Jr., which dominated the headlines last week, Alonso made it clear that he considered the matter settled.

“For me, it was important to talk about it on Wednesday and it’s settled. Things can happen, but we don’t want them to happen again. That’s where it stands,” he said.

Regarding his decision to have his players train at Valdebebas rather than doing it at Anfield, Alonso explained:

“I did the same in Leverkusen. I think it’s better for preparing for the match, not because of any conspiracy. At Valdebebas we have better control over everything and don’t give the opponent any clues.”

Alonso also commented on the situation of Liverpool’s blockbuster summer signing Florian Wirtz, who he trained at Bayer Leverkusen.

“It’s a big change for him to come here after so many years in Germany. He has to adapt, but he’s a very special player… and perhaps that’s one of the reasons he’s here. I hope it’s not tomorrow, but that he can show his class soon,” said Alonso.

Source: MARCA