Bayer Leverkusen coach Xavi Alonso has yet included German-Nigerian youngster Francis Onyeka for tonight’s UEFA Champions League game against Liverpool at Anfield .
Leverkusen’s usual suspects duo of Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella both made the trip to Liverpool while Onyeka was also included in the squad after impressive showings at training.
“After some warming up inside the BayArena, Jonathan Tah and the rest of the squad made their way out into the sunshine of the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion for final training,” the club stated. “There was also good news as Martin Terrier trained again, while U19 player Francis Onyeka was once again with the senior squad. The team will shortly go and have lunch before making their way to the airport.”
Meanwhile, Alonso returns to Anfield for the first time today to take on Liverpool in the Champions League, the trophy he helped the Reds win in 2005.
Alonso played 210 games for Liverpool between 2004 and 2009, with the highlight undoubtedly being the miracle comeback in the Reds’ Champions League final win over AC Milan in Istanbul.
The Spaniard scored Liverpool’s third goal in seven minutes to bring them level to 3-3 before they went on to win on penalties.
Alonso still speaks fondly of his time as a player on Merseyside and after Friday’s scoreless draw with Stuttgart, he said he was eagerly awaiting his return.
“Champions League at Anfield? It doesn’t get much better than that,” he said. “This game means a lot to me. It will be a big game. To play in the Champions League, at Anfield, it’s difficult to experience anything better.
“The atmosphere is great. Liverpool is one of the best teams in Europe at the moment. It’s a huge challenge but a beautiful challenge for us.”
