Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso spoke to the media a day before their game against Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday. He was asked about his emotions going into the game at Anfield, a ground where he spent five years of his footballing career, to which he said: “I try not to let my emotions cloud my judgment; I want to focus on the game. Then, whatever happens, happens. I try to distance myself from the emotion; I do it at every ground I return to. I want to be focused on what I want to do.”
Alonso on the match at Anfield
“On the
one hand, it’s a classic of European football, both historically and in the present. It’s a match that fans love to watch. Trent and I have our own history here. It feels good to return to a place where you’ve been so loved. But we’re here to focus on our own game, to get a good result.”
Alonso on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s fitness
“He’s fine, he didn’t play because of the context of the match against Valencia, but he’s available. He can play. We need him, he has tremendous quality, he’s in a new phase and we have to help him perform.”
Alonso on penalty takers
“We decide who the taker is, it’s Kylian. Then they make the decisions. For tomorrow, the first taker is Mbappé.”
Alonso on his time at Liverpool
“It influenced me a lot; it wasn’t a meaningless step. I spent five years with Rafa Benítez, and I learned a great deal about elite football. It helped me get to where I am now. And if you love football, you love playing here. They were very good years. They helped me as a player and as a coach. I still remember many things from that time, and they’re useful to me today.”
Alonso on moments of magic and madness
“I think many of them have experienced it. They know those moments in a match when there’s a force and an energy is generated. They are players with a lot of experience. I have a lot of faith in them, but they are the players who are on the field. From the bench, it gets out of your control.”
Alonso on Alvaro Arbeloa’s compliment
“I don’t give myself a grade, the grades come at the end. And I’d give Álvaro top marks too, I know how difficult it is to be a reserve team.”
Alonso on Florian Wirtz
“He’s sure to succeed, I have no doubt. It’s just a matter of time. It’s a big change for him; he’s spent his whole life in Germany. He has to adapt. He’s very competitive, which is one of the reasons he’s here. I’m eager for him to start showing his talent.”
Alonso on criticism from Liverpool fans for Trent
“His story is a little different from mine, he was born here. I remember him when he was little, in the quarry.”
Alonso on training at Valdebebas instead of at Liverpool
“It’s not because of any suspicion or conspiracy. It’s just that we all have more control in Valdebebas. Here we give clues to the opponent and I don’t think that’s the best thing.”
Alonso on Carlo Ancelotti’s stance on Vinicius Jr
“For me it was important that we talked about it on Friday, it’s been settled. These things can happen, we don’t want them to happen again. It’s settled.”
Alonso on scoring more goals
“It’s something we have to keep in mind. Against Juve, the game was tight. When you have the opportunity and you see weakness, you can score goals. Even more so with this format. The stronger teams are scoring more in the early rounds, they’ll climb higher in the standings. We’re learning. If we have the chance to score goals, we have to take it. Then the knockout stage is the knockout stage. If you finish ninth, things change.”
