Xabi Alonso spoke to the press gathered at Anfield to assess the clash with Liverpool on Champions League matchday four: "It was a demanding game, really fast-paced. We competed well but we lacked a real threat. The first half was fairly evenly matched and the second was decided by small margins. We started giving away too many free-kicks and the odd corner. Courtois kept us in it there. The goal gave them the edge and then we struggled a bit after that. I can't ask for any more from my team. We tried our best. It's the opening phase of the Champions League, we'll have chance to recover those points and we have to think about what's coming up."
“We have to learn that when they put the pressure on, which can happen when the crowd get up for it, we have to avoid giving away corners and free-kicks. We needed to create more opportunities. It was an intense game. We gave away a little bit too much at the start of the second half, we gifted them too many chances. It was avoidable. We should have been higher up, and they have great free-kick takers and finishers. .They created a lot of chances because we gave away too many fouls."
Does he think the team is eratic games?
“I don't think we're eratic. It wasn't a good performance at the Metropolitano but we have to be aware of the ideas we're putting across and the demands. Today was a really tough match and we have to be careful with those fouls because the game can get away from you, as happened today. We want to be consistent and I don't think we're eratic. It was evenly matched, hard-fought, and we can learn from this game."

Is today's starting XI his first team?
“These are decision we make based on whether players are on good form or feeling fit. We need everyone. We're in November, there's an important spell coming up. They did really well in the Clásico. We leave with a bitter taste in our mouths with the defeat. We have to analyse it and start thinking about Rayo tomorrow.”
Rodrygo and Trent off the bench
“We lacked a threat in the final third. We were struggling to do any damage one-on-one. Fede was carrying a knock and we looked to Trent and Rodrygo to bring that threat, change the dynamics and create chances. We have quality on the bench, but the details went their way."
Midfield 
“We wanted to get them closer together and find a free player who could link with Kylian. We got better in that sense. We grew into it and played more of the game in their half, but we were just lacking more of a threat in and around the box."
The right wing
“We have players who can operate in different positions, like Camavinga, Fede or Arda. We have different options depending on the game and we have to assess each one."
 Trent
“It was an intense game, typical of Anfield against two top sides. He tried to show his qualities, his threat down the right-hand side. He's a maturIntentó mostrar sus cualidades, su amenaza en la banda derecha. Es un chico maduro y muy profesional”.