Four issues Reds followers learnt about Alonso as Leverkusen do every thing however rating
With Liverpool out of motion till Sunday, some Reds might need flicked their TV packing containers over to Bayer Leverkusen’s conflict with Borussia Monchengladbach.
Xabi Alonso is the discuss of the city in Liverpool, after Jurgen Klopp dropped the bombshell that he’ll go away Anfield on the finish of the season. And because the mud settled, Alonso rapidly emerged because the No.1 man to exchange the German within the hot-seat.
Leverkusen are flying within the Bundesliga, they usually had been wonderful once more on Saturday, nevertheless, they failed to search out the web towards a resolute Monchengladbach. And Daily Star Sport is what Liverpool can count on from Alonso.
More Pep Guardiola than Jurgen Klopp
![Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola shares a joke with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on April 10, 2022 in Manchester, England.](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article31980430.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Manchester-City-v-Liverpool-Premier-League.jpg)
(Image: Getty Images)
Klopp’s model of soccer was branded as ‘heavy metallic’ when he first arrived on these shores – manner again in 2015. And what adopted was among the most fun high-pressing soccer that rock n’ rolled the Reds all the way in which to the summit of soccer.
Alonso is not the subsequent Klopp, his model of soccer is extra akin to Pep Guardiola. His Leverkusen facet are top-of-the-line sides in Europe when in possession of the ball – proved by the very fact they’re unbeaten within the Bundesliga.
Monchengladbach had received the ball again after a mean of 16 seconds throughout the season, on Saturday it took virtually double to dispossess Leverkusen.
Everything centre’s across the wing-backs
![Alejandro Grimaldo of Leverkusen shoots the ball during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Borussia Mönchengladbach at BayArena on January 27, 2024 in Leverkusen, Germany](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article31983767.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Bayer-04-Leverkusen-v-Borussia-Mnchengladbach-Bundesliga.jpg)
(Image: Bayer 04 Leverkusen through Getty Im)
Alex Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong have introduced themselves as two of one of the best gamers on the planet this season. Saturday night was no completely different, Grimaldo and Frimpong had been concerned in every thing at each ends of the pitch.
Frimpong, a right-back by commerce, popped up on the left wing to virtually nudge them forward on the hour mark. And the pair then mixed a few minutes later, with Grimaldo simply lacking the mark.
Liverpool followers had been already licking their lips on social media on the concept of Trent Alexander-Arnold having the licence to roam freely across the pitch akin to Grimaldo and Frimpong.
Aggressive centre-backs – and it might take Van Dijk to the subsequent stage
![Virgil van Dijk captain of Liverpool showing his appreciation to the fans at the end of the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield on December 23, 2023 in Liverpool, England.](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article31890655.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/2_Liverpool-FC-v-Arsenal-FC-Premier-League.jpg)
(Image: Liverpool FC through Getty Images)
With the wing-backs pulling the defence to the flanks, it opens up house within the center that enables the centre-backs to step up.
It helped Leverkusen retain possession, however extra importantly it additionally gave their centre-back’s extra freedom to roam forwards. Virgil van Dijk has been returning to his best possible kind, after a season off the boil, and extra freedom might assist him attain increased highs.
Van Dijk roaming into the midfield with an Alexander-Arnold given extra license to go ahead – it might give Guardiola complications.
Who would be the subsequent Florian Wirtz
![Florian Wirtz of Leverkusen during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Borussia Mönchengladbach at BayArena on January 27, 2024 in Leverkusen, Germany.](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article31983766.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Bayer-04-Leverkusen-v-Borussia-Mnchengladbach-Bundesliga.jpg)
(Image: Bayer 04 Leverkusen through Getty Im)
If there’s one man that has been central to Leverkusen’s title cost, alongside Alonso, it is Florian Wirtz.
Wirtz is the conductor of the Leverkusen orchestrator, their commender-in-chief, every thing went by the German on Saturday night. Wirtz has been one of the best participant within the Bundesliga this season, and he is been central to Alonso’s system.
If Alonso is to make the bounce to Merseyside, he should determine somebody to take over the reigns of Wirtz.