Xabi Alonso has confirmed Real Madrid will not train at Anfield ahead of their Champions League clash against Liverpool on Tuesday.
LaLiga leaders Real will instead carry out their final preparations for the clash at their training base in Valdebebas before flying to Merseyside on Monday afternoon.
Former Reds midfielder Alonso revealed he made the decision so his side aren’t “surrounded by 200 cameras” hours before they lock horns with the Premier League champions.
Explaining his decision after his side’s 4-0 win over Valencia on Saturday, Alonso said: “It’s my decision because we have to prepare for the match and we prefer to do it at our training ground, in our own space, so that we’re not surrounded by 200 cameras.”
In the Champions League, it has become common practice for teams to train at the home side’s ground the night before the game.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, October 21, 2025: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Liverpool FC. (Photo by Jessica Hornby/Propaganda)
Like Madrid, Liverpool typically prefer to train at the AXA Training Centre the day before the game instead, before jetting to the host city.
Alonso will still need to travel to Anfield when he arrives in Liverpool on Monday night, as the opposition manager and one player from their squad are required to speak to the media.
Although unlikely, it means the Spaniard could be joined in his pre-match media briefing by former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, November 26, 2024: Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham during a press conference at Anfield ahead of the UEFA Champions League game between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid CF. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Last season, before the two sides met at Anfield, Jude Bellingham joined then-manager Carlo Ancelotti for the pre-match press conference.
Arne Slot, meanwhile, will face the media at 3.15pm on Monday afternoon.
Real Madrid are one of five sides to have won all three of their Champions League fixtures this season and have won three of their last four meetings with Liverpool.