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Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso will face one of his old teams, which he represented as a player, as Real Madrid take on Liverpool in Matchday 4 of the Champions League. The game takes place on November 4 at Anfield, one of the toughest grounds to play at on a European night. Alonso is expecting a challenging game and will be without two of his starters on the right side of the team. Franco Mastantuono and right-back Dani Carvajal are injured, so a big decision will be made when picking his starting XI. Alonso spoke to the media ahead of the game against Liverpool at Anfield. Read on to know what he said (via Real Madrid). "It's a big match, a classic in European football in terms of history and the present. It's a match that the fans love to watch and both Trent and I have our history here and it's always good to return to a place that has loved you so much. Tomorrow we'll do our jobs, which is to perform well and get a good result."Xabi Alonso Q: Plenty of goals in the Champions League Alonso: "It's something you have to keep in mind when you have the opportunity. When Juve were pressing and the objective was to win the game. When you have a favorable result and you see weakness in the opponent, it's a good opportunity to score goals because, after last year's experience, when you didn't know how the format was going to work out in the last few rounds, you see that the strongest teams this year are picking up more points in the first few rounds." "They're going to be in the top 8 or 12. Last year, there were more surprises, but we're learning. When we have the chance to score goals, they can be decisive to finish as high as possible because you can finish eighth or ninth and that changes." Q: On his return to Anfield Alonso: "I try not to let emotions get the better of me too much because I want to stay focused for the game and approach it the same way we do every game. I don't want that to change my preparation or the connection with the players or what we have to do. Whatever has to happen will happen, but I try to distance myself a bit from the emotionality that these games sometimes have when I come here or to Anoeta.” Q: On coaching Madrid instead of Liverpool Alonso: "I also did it at Leverkusen. It's the way I understand is the best way to prepare for the match. Not because of any suspicion or conspiracy. We want to prepare for the game and at Valdebebas, we control the environment better. If we do that here, we're giving clues to our opponents for tomorrow and I don't think that's the smartest thing to do." Q: On Trent Alonso: "He's fine, he's available, and the other day he didn't play because of the context of the game. He can play and after his injury, we need him because he has great quality. It's a new stage for him both on a sporting and personal level and we have to help him and give him what he needs to perform because he's an exceptional footballer that we have in this squad. He has to enjoy this game in his own way. His story is different to mine. He was born here. I remember when he was a little boy and he was in the academy. It's nice to be back and it's going to be nice for him." Q: On his spell as a Liverpool player Alonso: "It influenced me a lot because it wasn't an insubstantial step. I spent five years with Rafa Benítez and I learnt a lot about football at the highest level. It's not just about playing the games but also thinking about them and preparing for them. Having that curiosity helped me to be here at this moment. If you like football, you like to play for a club like this. Liverpool and Real Madrid are huge in Europe. Those were very good years that helped me a lot as a player, but I'm sure they also helped me as a coach. I still remember a lot of things from that time that help me in my day-to-day life." Q: His curious story as a penalty taker at Liverpool Alonso: "I'm sure some of your English colleagues remember, but we had already reached the Champions League final and in the last league game, at home to Tottenham, Gerrard missed the penalty. A week later, we were playing in the Champions League final, and Benitez decided that the penalty takers were either me or Harry Kewell. When the penalty was taken, Harry had already been substituted, and it was my turn. I hadn't taken any professional penalties, and on the second attempt, it went in, and it changed my story as a player and Liverpool's because it was the 3-3 draw in that final that most of you will remember." Q: The penalty takers Alonso: "I said this in the previous press conference, we set who the taker is, and in this case, it is Kylian. Then decisions are made. Tomorrow, the first on the list will be Kylian." Q: Free-kick takers Alonso: “We have different takers. Kylian could be one of them. The players have to decide on the pitch. We guide them. On free kicks, there are other players who can shoot depending on the profile and the distance. They decide.” Q: Ancelotti's comments on Vini Jr and his substitution in the Clásico Alonso: "I said it last week. It was very important that we spoke about it on Wednesday and that he spoke about it with the teammates and with me. It was resolved. These are things that can happen and we don't want them to happen again. The issue was closed and that's where it stayed." Q: On Wirtz Alonso: "I have no doubts. It'll be a matter of time. It's a big change for him to come to Liverpool after so many years in Germany. His whole life. He has to adapt. He's a very special player. He has special qualities and a special personality. He's very competitive and it's happened with a lot of players who have come to the Premier League. I thank him and he's probably one of the reasons why I'm here. I hope it's not tomorrow, but I'm excited for him to start showing his qualities and his class."
