- Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso expressed confidence that his former Bayer Leverkusen player, Florian Wirtz, will eventually succeed at Liverpool, despite his slow start in the Premier League.
- Alonso, who managed Wirtz during Leverkusen’s Bundesliga title win, urged patience for the 22-year-old, describing him as a “special player” and acknowledging his role in Alonso’s own career.
- Wirtz, who was named the Bundesliga’s player of the year, has yet to register a goal or assist for Liverpool and has been benched in four top-flight matches.
- Alonso is considering whether to select Trent Alexander-Arnold for Real Madrid’s match against Liverpool at Anfield, marking Alexander-Arnold’s first return to his former club.
- Alexander-Arnold, who moved to Madrid in the summer, has been an unused substitute in Real’s last two games following a recent injury.
