"It feels good to be back here but I don't want it to be about me, it's about the match tomorrow and the players," stressed Xabi Alonso at the start of the press conference. "I've not thought about it that much in the run-up. My thoughts have been more on optimum preparation for the game."
Granit Xhaka also spoke about his experiences at Anfield: "I've got good and not so good memories here. Of course, I've told my team-mates about them. Tomorrow is a big challenge but also a big chance for us. We have a clear plan and want to assert our game."
Continuing to focus on the match, Alonso added: "We can expect a great game at this special place. They're in very good form at the moment – both in the Premier League and in the Champions League. They play a very high speed and intensity and have several options in the squad. They're one of the best teams in Europe."
Xhaka reserved particular praise for Liverpool star Mohamed Salah: "He brings a lot of quality. He's had an incredible career and continued to improve. He's become a big legend here, in my opinion. You certainly have to double-up on him because he's always dangerous - particularly on his left foot, but he also makes a lot of assists and is physically strong."
Nevertheless, the coach does not intend to change his team's own style of play. "We're well prepared," said Alonso. "We have our principles - both sporting and mental. Of course, you always change things here and there, it's a fluid process. But we produced our best performance so far against Stuttgart last time out, and that's how we want to perform again."
Alonso is without Nordi Mukiele (muscle strain) for the clash with the Premier League leaders. His players will therefore "have to stand tight together as a team, so that everyone helps". Martin Terrier will also not be involved. The forward did join in with training on Monday morning but has stayed in Leverkusen as he doesn't yet feel "his best", confirmed the Spaniard.
Leverkusen will be supported by 3,200 fans at Anfield on Tuesday night.
BIOGENA is the new performance partner for the Bayer 04 Leverkusen Women’s team. Under a partnership initially set to run for three years, the club and the leading Austrian micronutrient company are pooling their expertise in the areas of health, fitness and top-level performance.
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100 children from the Bayer 04 Football Academy had the chance to gain exclusive insights: As part of the summer camp, the young footballers headed inside the BayArena at midday on Tuesday, 21 July, where they were due to meet Werkself keepers Janis Blaswich and Simeon Rapsch in the press conference room. The two players took plenty of time to answer every question from the inquisitive audience – whether it was about their own careers or their first impressions of the new head coach. Finally, there was even time left to sign autographs for the young fans.
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Alejo Sarco has left Bayer 04 Leverkusen to join Sporting Gijón in Spain’s second division. Bayer 04 have secured a buy-back clause for the 20-year-old Argentine striker, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Mönchengladbach.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen have signed 16-year-old midfield prospect Gabriel Minutillo on a long-term contract. The Germany youth international will play for the U19s this season.
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