Liverpool must perform better with and without the ball when they face Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League at Anfield on Tuesday, head coach Arne Slot said after his side had to come from behind to win in the Premier League at the weekend.

Forward Mohamed Salah earned the Reds a 2-1 home victory against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday as they recovered to move top of the standings having conceded an early goal.

“Football is played in two moments, having the ball and not. And against strong teams, Leverkusen is one, you need to be good on both sides,” Slot told a press conference on Monday as his side prepared to face the German champions.

“We were poor on both sides, not as good with or without (the ball) on Saturday against Brighton, so we need a second-half performance because Leverkusen are at least equal to Brighton with the ball. So we need a much better performance than the first half.”

Alongside Aston Villa, Liverpool are the only other team with a perfect Champions League record this season after three games and are second to the Midlands side on goal difference.

On Tuesday, Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso will try to change that, with the former Spain midfielder returning to Anfield for the first time as a coach to take on his old side, who he helped win Europe’s elite club competition in 2005.

“It’s difficult to say what makes him a special manager if you don’t work with him but he is, that is clear,” Slot said.

“Bottom of the league when he took over, didn’t spend much, bought one or two players, had that (kind of) season – it’s special,” he added, with Leverkusen winning a domestic double last term having been unbeaten in the Bundesliga.

They only lost in the Europa League final to Atalanta.

“I haven’t faced him (Alonso) or worked with him but what might be the situation is he worked with incredible managers in the past and played at the highest levels. So he knows what players feel at certain moments.”

Alonso also helped Liverpool to the 2006-07 Champions League final, where they lost 2-1 to AC Milan.

Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher said: “I remember watching him, he was a class player when he was here, so I have good memories of him, his passing range was outrageous.

“I think the fans will give him a great reception but the focus is on getting a result and making sure he doesn’t go home happy.”

Liverpool can count on defender Ibrahima Konate, who returned to training after coming off at halftime against Brighton.

“He’s available to play, and I think also completely recovered, so there is no issue for him not to play because of what (happened),” Slot said.

“Then it’s up to me to make the decision if he plays or not. But he’s in a good place.”

-Reuters

Sporting manager Ruben Amorim has said his primary focus is Tuesday’s Champions League game at home to Manchester City after his agreement to join Manchester United on Nov. 11.

United on Friday named the Portuguese as head coach to replace Erik ten Hag on a contract running until 2027, with the Old Trafford club struggling in 13th spot in the Premier League.

As Amorim prepares for a new chapter in his career, the 39-year-old on Monday reflected on his time at Sporting.

“I’ve been through this a few times as a player; it’s hard to explain,” he told a press conference ahead of the City match.

“I’ll miss it in the future because I was very happy here. I know I’m going to a more complicated world, but we have to take steps forward.”

However, Amorim stressed that the Champions League clash against United’s local rivals was his main focus at present.

“Tomorrow I’ll be Sporting’s coach and only Sporting’s, from the 11th (November) onwards I’ll be United’s coach,” he said.

City are third in the 36-team table while Sporting are eighth but both sides have seven points from three games.

Amorim acknowledged the hype around the match as many United fans view it in relation to City’s rivalry with their team.

“They are different contexts; I’m not thinking about that. For me, it’s just another game against a team from the best league in the world,” said Amorim.

Emphasising the challenges ahead at Old Trafford, he noted that language issues will play a part at the start.

“My communication at the beginning will be simpler because it is in English. The players will not be offended if I say that they are more basic. I give training sessions here in English,” added Amorim.

“I will take inspiration from everywhere, but there’s always room for new ideas.”

-Reuters

Bayer Leverkusen will be without striker Victor Boniface for Wednesday’s Champions League game at Brest, with the Nigeria international still processing the shock of a car crash he was involved in on Sunday, coach Xabi Alonso said on Tuesday.

Boniface was a passenger in a car involved in a crash a day after he had scored the winner in the German champions’ 2-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.

He sustained minor injuries to a hand and foot but Alonso said the player needed some time to recover from the shock of the crash.

“He is not in the squad. After what happened, it’s also a precautionary measure,” Alonso told a press conference.

“He’s missing for health reasons. He has a small wound on his hand, a small cut on his right foot. But the shock is bigger.

“Physically he is better but it is also an emotional issue. He feels good but he is not ready for tomorrow,” Alonso said.

Boniface has scored seven goals across all competitions, including one in the Champions League.

Alonso said he did not expect Boniface to be sidelined for too long.

Brest and Leverkusen have both won their opening two matches in the league phase of the competition.

-Reuters