Alonso Attributes Unusual Decision To Liverpool Experience

Xabi Alonso has detailed how playing for Liverpool influenced one of the more curious traits of his time in charge at Bayer Leverkusen

Xabi Alonso has revealed the surprising Liverpool influence that helped him turn Bayer Leverkusen into a major force in Germany. Alonso will leave Leverkusen next week after almost three years in charge, and is expected to replace Carlo Ancelotti as the new boss of Real Madrid.

The Spaniard led the Bundesliga side to a historic first-ever championship last season along with only a second German Cup, with the Europa League final defeat to Atalanta their only loss of the campaign.

Their run of 51 games unbeaten was the longest such sequence in European football history since the introduction of UEFA competitions in 1955, while this season they finished second in the Bundesliga behind champions Bayern Munich.

During his final pre-match press conference on Friday, Alonso was asked to explain his trait of wanting his team to play the second half of all home games kicking towards the large north stand of the BayArena.

And the former Liverpool midfielder explained it had everything to do with his five years playing at Anfield.”It comes from the pitch,” he said. “When you are used to playing in the right direction at home, and when you have to switch, you don’t like it. It comes from that.

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“You need to create this comfort, you don’t need to give an advantage. And If I can create this advantage and have the chance, then I make it. This is competition.

“That came from my playing career, my Liverpool career. I knew I liked in the second half to play into the Kop. When that was changed, I didn’t like it!”

Liverpoolecho.co.uk