In a convenient and uncomplicated way, Cu3Ge/Ge@C nanocomposites crosslinked by the in situ formed carbon nanotubes (CNTs-Cu3Ge/Ge@C) is reported. In this method, carbon nanotubes are produced in situ to crosslink Cu3Ge/Ge@C nanocomposites by the catalysis action of nascent Cu* under an acetylene atmosphere at 500 degrees C, in which the nascent Cu* is created by the reaction between CuCl and Ge particles, Cu3Ge is then synchronously formed by the Ge and Cu*. Investigated as the anode materials for lithium ion batteries, a high capacity retention of 1013.4 mA h g(-1) is exhibited by the prepared CNTs-Cu3Ge/Ge@C at 0.5C after 1000 cycles and a high rate capacity of 931.7 mA h g(-1) at 10C in Li-Ge half cells.