Liverpool host the Bundesliga champions in tonight’s Champions League clash as Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen make the trip to Anfield for this league phase match-up.
Arne Slot’s side have made a perfect start to their European campaign winning all three of their matches so far with victories over AC Milan, Bologna and RB Leipzig. Two of those wins came away from home and Slot will hope the atmosphere inside Anfield will carry his players to a fourth victory in a row against the German side.
Leverkusen have been unable to continue their impressive form from last season but are still a threatening side. They are unbeaten in the Champions League with two wins and a draw and sit fourth in the Bundesliga after nine games. Their last defeat came at the end of August and they are unbeaten in 11 matches since meaning Liverpool will have to work hard to claim all three points tonight.
Follow all the Champions League action with our live blog below:
Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen LIVE
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Liverpool host Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, live on Amazon Prime Video
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The Reds have won all three of their European games so far
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Leverkusen are unbeaten in 11 matches across all competitions
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Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Jones, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
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Bayer Leverkusen XI: Hradecky; Frimpong, Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie, Grimaldo; Palacios, Xhaka; Wirtz, Boniface, Garcia
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:13 , Mike Jones
12 mins: Leverkusen have settled slightly after Liverpool’s strong start. They’re seeing more of the ball and forcing the Reds into deeper areas to defend.
Liverpool are quick on that counter attack though so the visitors need to remain wary.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:11 , Mike Jones
9 mins: Leverkusen use their width for the first time in attack with Frimpong getting wide on the right wing. He whips a cross into the middle of the box but Ibrahima Konate is there to nod the ball away.
He stays down after his clearance and seemingly took a painful hit to the face. He’s okay though.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:08 , Mike Jones
7 mins: Nearly!
Another turn over and Liverpool’s front three fly forward. Mo Salah brings the ball then nestles it across to Luis Diaz. He takes it up to the box then releases a pass to Cody Gakpo.
Gakpo shoots with an effort across goal only for the ball to get deflected by Jeremie Frimpong.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:06 , Mike Jones
6 mins: Liverpool have been strong over these opening minutes at winning the ball back in the middle of the pitch.
They work it quickly over to Gakpo again and he comes inside this time, dummies out of a first challenge then shoots and hits the next defender who blocks the effort on the edge of the box.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:03 , Mike Jones
3 mins: Nice!
Cody Gakpo has set up on the left side for Liverpool and is fed into a bit of space. He drives up to the box and squares a pass towards Luis Diaz in the centre.
Alejandro Grimaldo cuts into the box from his position as left wingback and hooks the ball clear.
Kick off! Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:01 , Mike Jones
Leverkusen kick off the match and send the ball over to the left side of the pitch. A forward pass is too heavy and skips safely through to Caoimhin Kelleher.
Liverpool vs Leverkusen
19:55 , Mike Jones
Here come the teams.
The players make their way out onto the pitch at Anfield. Virgil van Dijk leads out the Reds with a determined look on his face. He knows this will be a battle but one that Liverpool can win.
Kick off is up next…
Alonso’s return
19:50 , Mike Jones
Xabi Alonso played 210 times during a five-year spell at Liverpool from 2004 to 2009. He scored 19 goals for the club, including one in the 2005 Champions League final win against AC Milan.
This is Alonso’s first time back at Anfield for a competitive fixture. His Leverkusen side have not lost in their last 32 matches as the away team, winning 24 and drawing eight.
Unbeaten champions
19:45 , Mike Jones
Bayer Leverkusen have totalled seven points in their first three matches of the league phase, with wins over Feyenoord and AC Milan followed by a draw with Brest.
Last season, Leverkusen won the Bundesliga title for the first time in their history and in doing so became the first team ever to go through the league campaign unbeaten.
Fortress Anfield
19:40 , Mike Jones
Liverpool have scored 32 goals in their last 12 European games at Anfield, with only Atalanta – who kept a clean sheet – preventing them from scoring at least twice.
Szoboszlai vs Leverkusen
19:35 , Mike Jones
Dominik Szoboszlai scored a winning goal for RB Leipzig against Leverkusen in an April 2022 Bundesliga clash.
Salah vs Leverkusen
19:30 , Mike Jones
Mo Salah scored for Roma against Bayer Leverkusen in the group phase of the Champions League in 2015-16, in his side’s 3-2 win. Can he score against them again tonight?
Salah nearing half-century
19:25 , Mike Jones
Mohamed Salah has scored 49 Champions League goals in his career, including qualifiers, with 43 coming while at the Reds. Only 10 players have previously reached 50 goals in the competition.
Mohamed Salah shows his evolution to keep Liverpool on title track
19:20 , Mike Jones
At the ripe old age of 32, Mohamed Salah cannot give defenders a headache for 90 minutes like he used to, nor will the numbers continue to be as otherworldly as they once were. What these once-in-a-lifetime talents can do, however, is conjure season-defining moments, when his team needs them most.
For large swathes of Saturday’s gripping clash with Brighton & Hove Albion, the visitors were head and shoulders above their opponents, making Liverpool look foolish as they chased shadows in the first half.
Mohamed Salah shows his evolution to keep Liverpool on title track
Four in a row?
19:15 , Mike Jones
A victory in this tie would see Liverpool win each of their opening four matches of a European campaign for only the sixth time.
The Reds’ recent record
19:10 , Mike Jones
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 13 meetings with German opposition in all European competition (winning 10 and drawing three) since a 4-2 loss at Leverkusen in April 2002.
Liverpool vs German opponents
19:05 , Mike Jones
Liverpool have yet to lose to a German side at Anfield in Europe. That record includes 20 games, 16 wins and four draws, with 14 clean sheets.
Liverpool vs Leverkusen
19:00 , Mike Jones
Liverpool have won three of the four previous meetings between the teams in European competition, including both Anfield encounters.
Leverkusen line-up
18:48 , Mike Jones
Bayer Leverkusen XI: Hradecky; Frimpong, Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie, Grimaldo; Palacios, Xhaka; Wirtz, Boniface, Garcia
Liverpool line-up
18:46 , Mike Jones
Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Jones, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
Slot on Salah and Van Dijk’s contracts
18:40 , Mike Jones
Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk are out of contract at the end of the season and are currently negotiating renewals. Arne Slot was asked whether the players were thinking about leaving and if he had spoken to them about their future.
He replied: “I haven’t spoken about him [Salah], we’ve spoken about Leverkusen because that team deserves all of our attention for the quality they have. So, no.
“He is out of contract in the end of the season and Virgil [van Dijk] said something in the press and now he [Salah] has a post that you interpreted in a certain way.
“This will probably continue for as long as their futures are not clear yet. But in the meantime, let’s hope that they bring in performances like Mo had and Virgil had as well during the weekend.”
Kelleher on Alonso
18:35 , Mike Jones
Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher said: “I think the fans will give him a great reception, but the focus is on getting a result and making sure he doesn’t go home happy.”
Arne Slot vs Xabi Alonso is a lesson for the new wave of superstar coaches
18:30 , Mike Jones
Around the turn of the year, when five of the major European clubs were looking for new managerial candidates, one official involved in elite-level recruitment let out a sigh. “There is nothing in football as difficult as choosing a coach,” came the complaint.
The frustration was from the fact that there are so many variables, especially when a manager moves from one financial tier to another. They might have the right style but not the right personality. They might fit the tactics but not the culture.
Although clubs are trying to add some science to this, feeding details through algorithms, there’s still a huge element of human trial and error. You can’t always account for how a manager’s approach translates to a different dressing room.
Arne Slot vs Xabi Alonso is a lesson for the new wave of superstar coaches
Leverkusen are a dangerous team
18:25 , Mike Jones
Xabi Alonso led Bayer Leverkusen to one of the all-time great seasons in 2023/24 with the German club only losing one game in all competitions.
They won their first Bundesliga title, ending Bayern Munich’s 11-year dominance of the league, as part of the German double which saw them collect the German Cup as well.
That lone defeat came against Atalanta in the Europa League final which denied Alonso and his team a well deserved treble.
Though they have not hit those same heights this season they are unbeaten in 11 games and will be confident of earning three points against a Liverpool side still in the early stages of Arne Slot’s tenure.
Kelleher on ‘special moment’ playing at Anfield
18:20 , Mike Jones
Caoimhin Kelleher is excited for his ‘special moment’ when he steps out onto the pitch to take part in a big European night at Anfield.
Liverpool’s goalkeeper said: “I’ve experienced quite a few European nights at Anfield, not playing, but it’s always electric.
“It will be a special moment and one I’m looking forward to, for sure. The Champions League is the Champions League: it’s one of the biggest competitions.
“We have a good history in the competition, so the motivation is there.”
Kelleher ‘quite likes’ new format
18:15 , Mike Jones
Caoimhin Kelleher took the pre-match press conference alongside Arne Slot and admitted to liking the new Champions League format especially as it means playing against more teams from the continent.
He said: “It’s a bit different. I personally quite like it, playing different teams on each occasion is kind of cool. You’re going away to different stadiums too, which is nice. It’s cool to play more teams.”
Slot on the new Champions League format
18:10 , Mike Jones
The Liverpool boss also gave his thoughts on the new Champions League format and explained a few of the positives. He said: “When you play now, every tie is a new opponent.
“You can be lucky or unlucky and then it has to do with which teams you face at home or away. What I love is every evening I can switch to a game that is really a nice one to watch.”
Pre-match thoughts from Arne Slot
18:05 , Mike Jones
Liverpool manager Arne Slot spoke ahead of tonight’s match and laid out what he is expecting from the game. He said: “It is a big European game which is almost always the situation when you play the Champions League.
“Mainly also for what Xabi Alonso did for this club, especially in Europe as well. Domestically and in Europe last season, they were incredible.
“I think this season they are just as good but a bit more unlucky when it comes to results. It’s a big game to look forward to for people who love the game.”
Jurgen Klopp defends decision to take ‘outstanding’ new role with Red Bull after criticism
18:00 , Mike Jones
Former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp defended his decision to join Red Bull as global head of soccer from next year following criticism from fans in Germany, saying the project was “outstanding” for him.
Klopp, who ended a successful nine-year stint at Liverpool last season, also coached Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, with many of those clubs’ fans angered by his decision to join Red Bull.
Fans in Mainz during a league game earlier in October even unfurled banners venting their anger over Klopp‘s decision. Klopp had spent 18 years as a Mainz player and then coach.
Jurgen Klopp defends decision to take new role with Red Bull after criticism
Konate ‘will be ready’
17:55 , Mike Jones
Liverpool have been given a big boost as centre-back Ibrahima Konate confirmed his arm injury will not force him to miss any games for the club.
The 25-year-old posted a positive update on his instagram following a medical assessment after the game.
He wrote: “Thanks for all the messages of support. My injury isn’t serious thankfully. I had a scan today and it confirmed there is no break. I’ll be ready for the next game.”
Will Alonso enjoy his Liverpool return?
17:50 , Mike Jones
“We will see, I will tell you after the game how I feel. There will be a moment for everything, but the main thing is not me,” Xabi Alonso replied when asked by the media if he was looking forward to his Anfield return.
He added: “It’s the players, how we deal with the emotions you have in this stadium, they are in a good moment. Maybe I will take a little walk or a run, but there is no time for tourism.
“I know the city very well, I loved it, but I will focus on the game and only the game.”
Alonso on facign Liverpool
17:45 , Mike Jones
“For us it is a big challenge to come here. Liverpool at the moment is one of the best if not the best in Europe, they are showing that in a very strong Premier League and the Champions League.
“It’s a good squad, good coach. At Anfield, it’s a big challenge. We’re looking forward to it, let’s see what happens.”
Xabi Alonso explains decision to turn down Liverpool ahead of Anfield return
17:40 , Mike Jones
Former Liverpool great Xabi Alonso dodged questions about taking over at Anfield and insisted he does not return to the city as a tourist.
Alonso was hot favourite for the Liverpool job when Jurgen Klopp announced in January he was leaving, but quickly ruled himself out of the running before guiding Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title.
Asked whether it was ever a serious consideration, the Spaniard, who won the 2005 Champions League during a five-year spell at Anfield, said: “At that time I was focused, I had a big thing with the players and we were really focused on that.”
Xabi Alonso explains decision to turn down Liverpool ahead of Anfield return
Liverpool vs Leverkusen prediction
17:35 , Mike Jones
A hard-fought game but a high-quality one, with the home advantage for the Reds proving enough to edge them to three points.
Liverpool 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen.
Predicted line-ups
17:30 , Mike Jones
Here’s how we see the two teams linig up this evening. Arne Slot should get pretty strong and hope to get his team closer to the next round but with Liverpool also fighting for the Premier League title it would not be surprising if changes were made.
Liverpool XI: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister, Salah, Nunez, Diaz
Leverkusen XI: Hradecky, Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie, Frimpong, Xhaka, Garcia, Grimaldo, Wirtz, Terrier, Boniface
Bayer Leverkusen’s early team news
17:25 , Mike Jones
Leverkusen are missing Amine Adli and Jeanuel Belocian but Martin Terrier should be fit. Nordi Mukiele needs a fitness test ahead of the game.
Ibrahima Konate plays down injury and ‘will be ready’ for Liverpool’s next match
17:20 , Mike Jones
Liverpool have been given a big boost as centre-back Ibrahima Konate confirmed his arm injury will not force him to miss any games for the club.
The defender sustained a knock in this weekend’s 2-1 victory Premier League over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday and was replaced at half-time by Joe Gomez.
There were worries that Konate had done serious damage to his arm which would have put him on the sidelines for a number of weeks.
Ibrahima Konate plays down injury and ‘will be ready’ for Liverpool’s next match
Liverpool’s early team news
17:15 , Mike Jones
Liverpool remain without long-term absentees Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota and Harvey Elliott.
Federico Chiesa isn’t expected to feature until after the international break and Ibrahima Konate may not be risked after injuring his hand at the weekend, though he has said he shouldn’t miss any matches because of it.
Where can I watch it?
17:10 , Mike Jones
The match will be shown live on Amazon Prime Video. Subscribers can stream the game on the Prime Video app across any device or compatible smart TV.
If you’re not an Amazon Prime Video subscriber start a free 30-day trial here.
If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
When is the match?
17:05 , Mike Jones
Liverpool v Leverkusen kicks off at 8pm GMT on Tuesday 5 November.
Liverpool vs Leverkusen
17:00 , Mike Jones
Xabi Alonso heads to his former club in midweek as Bayer Leverkusen travel to Merseyside to face Liverpool in the Champions League.
Last season the German Bundesliga side swept almost all before them as they sealed a domestic double, falling short only in the Europa League final. They’ve not been quite as relentless this term so far, winning four of their nine games and sitting fourth in the table, but they have taken seven points from three games in Europe and will present formidable opposition for the Reds.
Under Arne Slot, though, it has been a near-perfect first campaign for the Anfield club. A turnaround win over Brighton at the weekend put the Reds top of the Premier League with eight wins from ten – and they have a 100 per cent record in Europe too after beating AC Milan, Bologna and RB Leipzig already.
Triumph over Leverkusen now and their Champions League-winning former midfield playmaker Alonso, and Slot’s side will be all but through already to the knockout stages in the new year.
Good evening!
14:51 , Mike Jones
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Champions League action as Liverpool play host to Bayer Leverkusen.
Xabi Alonso makes his return to Anfield after rumours linked him to the managerial position following Jurgen Klopp’s departure but the Spaniard decided to remain at with Leverkusen having led them to a Bundesliga title.
The German side come up against Arne Slot’s Reds tonight. Liverpool have not lost in the Champions League this term and sit second behind Aston Villa in the table.
Tonight’s contest should be a good one and we’ll have all the team news, line-ups and more throughout the evening so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 8pm.
Read the full article here
