Be wary of Kaunas - Alonso
Jul 26 2005
By Tony Barrett in Kaunas, Liverpool Echo
XABI ALONSO today warned his Liverpool team-mates they face a tough test in tonight's Champions League qualifier.
The midfielder says his experience of playing against Lithuania for the Spanish national team has left a lasting impression on him and he expects Kaunas, the current Lithuanian champions, to be no pushover.
Alonso is set to take his place at the heart of the Liverpool midfield alongside Steven Gerrard as boss Rafa Benitez looks for a win at the small St Darius and St Garina stadium.
And the Spaniard is steeling himself for a hard battle, both tonight and in the forthcoming Premiership season.
He said: "Whenever you play a game like this in Europe you know it will be difficult.
"We do not know much about Kaunas, but you have to respect any team in the Champions League because if you do not you can have problems.
"I have played against the Lithuania team for Spain and they are a difficult team to play against.
"So I would expect the match against their national champions to be tough."
Observers of Liverpool's pre-season games so far gave notice Alonso has been displaying a steelier edge to his game, something he attributes to his experiences in the Premiership last season.
"I have not made a conscious decision to change the way I play but I think perhaps playing in the Premiership has had an effect," he said.
"And we have been preparing for a league season as well as playing the Champions League qualifiers, so some of the things we have been working on will probably be coming out in these games."
Around 350 Liverpool fans have travelled in the official party for tonight's game in Lithuania's second city.
