Xabi Alonso has apparently copied a tactic regularly used by Jose Mourinho in a bid to get the better of Liverpool in the Champions League.

Madrid will take on the Reds in Europe’s premier competition next week in the fourth round of Champions League matches.

According to Spanish publication Marca, he is setting up a special plan for the Liverpool clash.

The report suggests Alonso has become the first manager of Madrid since Mourinho, who was in charge between 2010 and 2013, to decide not to train at the stadium on the day before the game.

Alonso has reportedly opted not to do so, and his team is instead set to prepare at their training ground of Valdebebas at 11 a.m. before travelling to Liverpool in the afternoon.

The pre-match press conference will then take place at Anfield, as it has to, meaning only Alonso and one player of the club’s choosing will be present at the stadium.