Xabi Alonso rolled back the years last night by producing a vintage first touch in the Bayer Leverkusen dugout.
The former Liverpool midfielder, who has been in charge as Leverkusen since the start of October, carved out a 0-0 draw in the final round of their Champions League group stage against Club Brugge. The Bundesliga outfit were already unable to qualify for the knockout stages and ended up finishing third, allowing them a place in the Europa League.
With just five shots on target during the entire 90 minutes at the BayArena, the highlight of the match arguably took place in the home dugout, with Alonso plucking a high ball out of the air, knocking a cushioned volley into the arms of Brugge's Tajon Buchanan.
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A vintage Alonso touch that former Reds teammate Jamie Carragher loved, labelling the Leverkusen manager 'the pass master' in the CBS Sports studio after the final whistle.
The former Liverpool midfield maestro gave the Anfield faithful another reminder of his exploits back in September, just a wee before signing on the dotted line at Leverkusen. The Spaniard returned to Anfield to play in the Liverpool Legends win against Manchester United Legends, spraying passes left and right from the middle of the park.
A commanding performance in the centre also gave Reds fans an idea of Alonso's managerial qualities, but it remains clear he can still play.
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