Ahead of Xabi Alonso’s emotional return to Anfield on Tuesday night—just months after he was initially seen as Liverpool’s top choice to replace Jurgen Klopp—the Bayer Leverkusen boss, who recently ended the club’s long Bundesliga title drought, highlights Liverpool’s impressive squad depth rather than a dependence on Salah’s enduring brilliance.
The Egyptian forward delivered the decisive goal as Liverpool came from behind to secure a hard-fought victory over Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday. His clinical finish ensured all three points for the Reds after they had to battle back from a challenging position.
As has often been the case, it wasn’t just the star players who made an impact. Once again, some of Slot’s lesser-known talents stepped up when needed. Their contributions were crucial in turning the game around, highlighting the depth and quality that runs through the squad, even beyond the obvious standouts.
Caoimhin Kelleher shone once more, filling in for Alisson Becker, while Kostas Tsimikas stood out with Andy Robertson off form and out of the lineup.
Curtis Jones made a strong impact coming off the bench, while Cody Gakpo continued his best form in a Liverpool shirt by equalizing after Ferdi Kadioglu’s powerful first-half opener.
Following his “unbelievable” goal against Brighton in the Carabao Cup days earlier, Gakpo was back, causing trouble for Fabian Hurzeler once again.
Xabi Alonso Praises Gakpo and Others, Talks Liverpool Depth
“Liverpool are intense, with a good midfield balance,” Alonso said to reporters ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League matchday four clash on the red side of Stanley Park. “Having this good mix is important in the Champions League.
“Gakpo, [Luis] Diaz, Tsimikas, Robertson, Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister… [Liverpool have] a competitive mentality.
“A big [game] with great players from both sides. From Liverpool and from us as well. Really looking forward to that.
A good squad, a good coach. Playing at Anfield is a big challenge, but I think all of us are looking forward to it, for sure, the players, and let’s see what happens tomorrow.”
Liverpool’s Champions League record is flawless so far. Following their 3-1 victory over AC Milan at San Siro, Slot’s nearly flawless team secured maximum points against Bologna and RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen’s Bundesliga rivals.
“Bayer Leverkusen are a side which has the ability to hurt any opponent,” Slot says during his own pre-match presser. “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.
“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.
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