Xabi Alonso over Arne Slot? Not on this evidence

By the end of the night, any envious glances towards the opposition bench from Liverpool fans were a thing of the past - and a turning point had been reached in Slot's career, too.

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso gestures on the touchline. Pic: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.

On a big Champions League night at Anfield, in a tie that was billed a match-up between the manager that Liverpool chose and the one they couldn’t get, it was Arne Slot who came out on top - just when people were beginning to cast envious glances at the Real Madrid bench.

That, of course, was where Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso was siting after an impressive spell in charge of Bayer Leverkusen and an outstanding start to the season in La Liga since taking over at the Bernabeu this year.