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Four things Liverpool fans learnt about Xabi Alonso as Leverkusen do everything but score
Bayer Leverkusen were again impressive on Saturday evening - but they failed to find the net against a resolute Borussia Monchengladbach - and Daily Star Sport have a closer look at Xabi Alonso
With Liverpool out of action until Sunday, some Reds might have flicked their TV boxes over to Bayer Leverkusen's clash with Borussia Monchengladbach.
Xabi Alonso is the talk of the town in Liverpool, after Jurgen Klopp dropped the bombshell that he will leave Anfield at the end of the season. And as the dust settled, Alonso quickly emerged as the No.1 man to replace the German in the hot-seat.
Leverkusen are flying in the Bundesliga, and they were excellent again on Saturday, however, they failed to find the net against a resolute Monchengladbach. And Daily Star Sport is looking at what Liverpool can expect from Alonso.
Klopp's brand of football was branded as 'heavy metal' when he first arrived on these shores - way back in 2015. And what followed was some of the most exciting high-pressing football that rock n' rolled the Reds all the way to the summit of football.
Alonso isn't the next Klopp, his brand of football is more akin to Pep Guardiola. His Leverkusen side are one of the best sides in Europe when in possession of the ball - proved by the fact they're unbeaten in the Bundesliga.
Monchengladbach had won the ball back after an average of 16 seconds across the season, on Saturday it took almost double to dispossess Leverkusen.
Alex Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong have announced themselves as two of the best players on the planet this season. Saturday evening was no different, Grimaldo and Frimpong were involved in everything at both ends of the pitch.
Frimpong, a right-back by trade, popped up on the left wing to almost nudge them ahead on the hour mark. And the pair then combined a couple of minutes later, with Grimaldo just missing the mark.
Liverpool fans were already licking their lips on social media at the idea of Trent Alexander-Arnold having the licence to roam freely around the pitch akin to Grimaldo and Frimpong.
With the wing-backs pulling the defence to the flanks, it opens up space in the middle that allows the centre-backs to step up.
It helped Leverkusen retain possession, but more importantly it also gave their centre-back's more freedom to roam forwards. Virgil van Dijk has been returning to his very best form, after a season off the boil, and more freedom could help him reach higher highs.
Van Dijk roaming into the midfield with an Alexander-Arnold given more license to go forward - it could give Guardiola headaches.
If there's one man that has been central to Leverkusen's title charge, alongside Alonso, it's Florian Wirtz.
Wirtz is the conductor of the Leverkusen orchestrator, their commender-in-chief, everything went through the German on Saturday evening. Wirtz has been the best player in the Bundesliga this season, and he's been central to Alonso's system.
If Alonso is to make the jump to Merseyside, he will have to identify someone to take over the reigns of Wirtz.
Daily Star Sunday
Bayer Leverkusen were again impressive on Saturday evening - but they failed to find the net against a resolute Borussia Monchengladbach - and Daily Star Sport have a closer look at Xabi Alonso
With Liverpool out of action until Sunday, some Reds might have flicked their TV boxes over to Bayer Leverkusen's clash with Borussia Monchengladbach.
Xabi Alonso is the talk of the town in Liverpool, after Jurgen Klopp dropped the bombshell that he will leave Anfield at the end of the season. And as the dust settled, Alonso quickly emerged as the No.1 man to replace the German in the hot-seat.
Leverkusen are flying in the Bundesliga, and they were excellent again on Saturday, however, they failed to find the net against a resolute Monchengladbach. And Daily Star Sport is looking at what Liverpool can expect from Alonso.
Klopp's brand of football was branded as 'heavy metal' when he first arrived on these shores - way back in 2015. And what followed was some of the most exciting high-pressing football that rock n' rolled the Reds all the way to the summit of football.
Alonso isn't the next Klopp, his brand of football is more akin to Pep Guardiola. His Leverkusen side are one of the best sides in Europe when in possession of the ball - proved by the fact they're unbeaten in the Bundesliga.
Monchengladbach had won the ball back after an average of 16 seconds across the season, on Saturday it took almost double to dispossess Leverkusen.
Alex Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong have announced themselves as two of the best players on the planet this season. Saturday evening was no different, Grimaldo and Frimpong were involved in everything at both ends of the pitch.
Frimpong, a right-back by trade, popped up on the left wing to almost nudge them ahead on the hour mark. And the pair then combined a couple of minutes later, with Grimaldo just missing the mark.
Liverpool fans were already licking their lips on social media at the idea of Trent Alexander-Arnold having the licence to roam freely around the pitch akin to Grimaldo and Frimpong.
With the wing-backs pulling the defence to the flanks, it opens up space in the middle that allows the centre-backs to step up.
It helped Leverkusen retain possession, but more importantly it also gave their centre-back's more freedom to roam forwards. Virgil van Dijk has been returning to his very best form, after a season off the boil, and more freedom could help him reach higher highs.
Van Dijk roaming into the midfield with an Alexander-Arnold given more license to go forward - it could give Guardiola headaches.
If there's one man that has been central to Leverkusen's title charge, alongside Alonso, it's Florian Wirtz.
Wirtz is the conductor of the Leverkusen orchestrator, their commender-in-chief, everything went through the German on Saturday evening. Wirtz has been the best player in the Bundesliga this season, and he's been central to Alonso's system.
If Alonso is to make the jump to Merseyside, he will have to identify someone to take over the reigns of Wirtz.
Daily Star Sunday