Leaked Real Madrid plans confirm Xabi Alonso is SCARED of Liverpool forward | OneFootball

Liverpool will host Real Madrid on Tuesday night - matchday four of the Champions League league phase.

The Reds have won two of their three European encounters this season - beating Atletico Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt but losing at Galatasaray.

No doubt Arne Slot will be seeking to finish inside the top eight places in order to avoid a knockout phase playoff - with Liverpool currently sitting just outside those places.

This tie is a repeat of last year’s clash between the two European heavyweights. The Anfield club won 2-0 in convincing fashion that night but come into this game a very different team.

Liverpool - and Salah - back on form

A win against Aston Villa over the weekend helped steady the ship - but Slot’s side had previously slipped to six defeats in seven matches in all competitions.

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By going back to last season’s formula, the Dutchman finally found some form - with players like Mohamed Salah, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai once again re-establishing their excellence.

That game will have been pored over in detail by Xabi Alonso - the Real Madrid head coach.

A 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid in LaLiga is the only blemish on Alonso’s record thus far this season. His side have won every other game they’ve played - including all three in the Champions League so far.

Xabi Alonso is SCARED of Salah

But there is reason to believe the former Liverpool midfielder is running SCARED ahead of this game - and his defensive plans are focussed around one Red in particular.

Salah, 33, may not have been at his best so far throughout the season but his numbers are still decent. Across 13 matches in all competitions, he has supplied five goals and three assists.

He had a great influence on the clash against Madrid last season - and Alonso is going to great lengths to ensure he cannot weave his magic on Tuesday.

© Anfield Watch

Real Madrid to double up on Salah

Detailing the Spaniard’s pre-game plans Defensa Central claims that extra attention will be given to Salah.

Full-back Alvaro Carreras will be tasked with going one on one with the two-time African player of the year - and he will be ably supported by Jude Bellingham on the left side for Madrid.

“Xabi Alonso placed great emphasis on cover and support to protect the side against Mo Salah's attack, Arne Slot's main weapon.

“In this task, Jude Bellingham, who always has a great physical presence, will be very important, since his task is to help Álvaro Carreras.”

It goes to show that Salah’s reputation precedes him. Let’s hope the Reds can pick up a head of steam now following that Villa win. Alonso - and Madrid - still believe that Salah is capable of game-changing interventions and are making plans to stop it.