Xabi's back where it all began

Madrid juggernaut rolls into Anfield

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Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates his goal with Jude Bellingham during a La Liga game against Valencia on Saturday.

(REUTERS)

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso returns to Anfield to face his former side Liverpool in the Champions League tonight after a nearly immaculate start to life in the Spanish capital.

While Premier League giants Liverpool have just two wins in their last eight games, Alonso's Madrid are on a high, transformed from last season and improving weekly under the Basque manager.

The 15-time European champions beat Clasico rivals Barcelona last weekend in La Liga and aim to flex their muscles in another high-calibre match against Arne Slot's Liverpool.

Their only defeat this season came in a 5-2 derby humiliation by Atletico Madrid and Alonso's side have progressed rapidly since.

Many Liverpool fans hoped the Spaniard would take the reins at Anfield when Juergen Klopp announced he would leave the club at the end of the 2023/24 season.

Elegant on the ball, Alonso was the brains of Liverpool's midfield between 2004 and 2009. He was key to the 2005 Champions League triumph in Istanbul and won the FA Cup among other silverware before departing for Real Madrid.