UCL: Alonso under fire over decision on Boniface after Bayer Leverkusen’s 4-0 defeat to Liverpool

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UCL: Alonso under fire over decision on Boniface after Bayer Leverkusen’s 4-0 defeat to Liverpool

Former Manchester City and Newcastle United goalkeeper, Shay Given has criticized Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso’s decision to deploy striker Victor Boniface as a left winger against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

Alonso’s 3-5-2 formation tactics left Leverkusen without a recognized centre forward against Liverpool at Anfield.

His tactics seemed to be working for the visitors as they did not concede a goal in the first half.

But after holding Arne Slot’s men for an hour, the Bundesliga champions suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat.

Luis Díaz scored a hat-trick and Cody Gakpo also netted a goal.

Speaking to Premier Sports Ireland about Alonso’s tactics against the Premier League giants, Given said: “I was at the Europa League final at the end of the season in Dublin, they were so disappointing, they got bullied against Atalanta in the final.

“I don’t know, just very poor in the final third. They did play out from the back and through the thirds but Boniface at times was playing on the left wing.

“You want him to be more of a target man, you want to bring some sort of injection to the attack.”