Xabi Alonso has spoken about Florian Wirtz and their time together at Bayer Leverkusen ahead of Chelsea's trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool on Wednesday evening
Joao Pedro
Joao Pedro is set to be out until after the next international break with a thigh injury(Image: Steffan Bowen/Visionhaus)
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Xabi Alonso admits Liverpool attacker Florian Wirtz is one of the main reasons the Chelsea manager is in the position he is today.
Alonso and Wirtz enjoyed unparalleled success together during their time together at Bayer. The Germany international was one of the Spanish coach's star players in the side's 51-match unbeaten run, stemming across the 2023/24 season, where Bayer were crowned Bundesliga champions for the first time.
Wirtz scored 18 goals and provided 19 assists across all competitions during the German side's historic season. In the summer of 2025, less than a month after Alonso's departure to join Real Madrid, Liverpool signed Wirtz in a £116million deal.
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However, the 23-year-old playmaker has struggled during his time at Anfield, although has shown signs of improving over the last four matches. In 60 appearances in all competitions, the German has scored eight goals and provided 11 assists.
There has been plenty of criticism thrown Wirtz's way but Alonso, who is returning to Anfield on Wednesday evening for the first time since becoming Chelsea manager, has nothing but fond memories of the "special" Liverpool attacker.
Florian Wirtz with Xabi Alonso
Florian Wirtz shone under Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen(Image: Lars Baron)
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"I can only speak about my time with Flo in Bayer Leverkusen and for sure one of the main reasons for me being here is the time that I spent with him in Leverkusen," said Alonso. "He was a special player, he helped me so much, I learned so much from him and now that he's in Liverpool I'm following him and we know that the next step is always an interesting one and he's getting there."
Chelsea make the trip to Merseyside today for a Carabao Cup fourth round tie with the Reds. After being beaten at home by Tottenham on Saturday evening, the Blues are looking to bounce back on Wednesday but will have to do so without star striker Joao Pedro.
The Brazil international is set for a "few weeks" out of the action due to a thigh injury he sustained in training last Friday in Chelsea's final session before their clash with Spurs.
Joao Pedro
Joao Pedro missed Chelsea's defeat to Tottenham due to injury(Image: Mike Hewitt)
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"Yes, he has an injury on his thigh and he is going to be out for a few weeks," Alonso said of Joao Pedro. "Let's see how many. We don't want to predict on that, but he's not ready for the next games."
When asked if that means he will be out until after the upcoming international break, Alonso responded: "Probably."
Danny Welbeck could lead the line for Chelsea at Anfield having been snubbed from the starting line-up for the defeat to Tottenham. Elsewhere, Emmanuel Emegha could make his Blues debut tomorrow evening after recovering from injury.
Alonso said this of the striker, who was signed from Strasbourg over the summer: "For sure it's important that we have him available because he has special qualities. He has to feel fully fit.
"He's been training for the last couple of weeks, 10 days, in a good way that allows him to build a strong base for his fitness and now gradually we want to see him and maybe tomorrow he has the chance to play."
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