Liverpool boss Arne Slot gives theory on what makes Xabi Alonso a 'special' coach ahead of showdown with ex-Reds star's Bayer Leverkusen

It's a homecoming for Alonso as the Spaniard returns to Anfield for the first time since leaving Liverpool as a player for Real Madrid in 2009. Alonso will be on the touchline as his Bayer Leverkusen team visits Merseyside for a Champions League clash on Tuesday night.

Alonso has been a revelation as a manager after guiding Leverkusen to the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal titles in the 2023-24 season. Ahead of the Champions League clash, Liverpool boss Slot heaped praise on the Spaniard and explained what makes him a 'special coach'.

At his pre-match press conference, the Dutch coach told reporters: "It's difficult to say what makes him a special manager if you don't work with him on a daily basis but he is, that is clear. Bottom of the league when he took over, didn't spend much, mainly the same players, and they only lost in the final of the Europa League.

"What makes him special is hard because I haven't faced him or worked with him but what might be the situation is he worked with incredible managers in the past and played at the highest levels. So he also knows and understands what players feel at certain moments. That all contributes to what a manager he is. The best way to find out what makes him special is to ask the players he has worked with."

After facing the German champions in Europe, the Merseyside giants will be next seen in action on Saturday as they take on Aston Villa in the Premier League.