Liverpool entertain Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night with Xabi Alonso making his return to Anfield.
Both sides remain unbeaten in the Champions League this campaign, but Liverpool join Aston Villa as the only teams to collect maximum points after three games.
Despite being substituted at half-time in Liverpool’s game against Brighton on the weekend, Ibrahima Konate is fit and will be available for tonight’s game.
However, it’s likely that the injured quartet of Alisson Becker, Harvey Elliott, Federico Chiesa and Diogo Jota won’t feature until after the November international break.
Full-back Nordi Mukiele is absent for Leverkusen after he was forced off against Stuttgart at the weekend.
Liverpool vs Leverkusen – Match preview and team news
Form
Liverpool: WWDWW
Liverpool found a way to win again at the weekend, as they came from behind to beat Brighton.
Ferdi Kadioglu gave the Seagulls a deserved lead in the first half, with the marauding full-back smashing in a ferocious strike past Caoimhin Kelleher and in off the post.
But Liverpool replied with vigour after the interval and a quick-fire double saw the Reds return to the top of the Premier League table.
Cody Gakpo scored his third goal in two appearances, when his attempted cross evaded everyone to nestle into the corner. Moments later, Mohamed Salah rifled past Bart Verbruggen after a flowing counterattack.
Top of the table is where this club belongs. Nothing less. All teams win matches but there’s only 1 champion in the end. That’s what we want. Thank you for your support last night. No matter what happens, I will never forget what scoring at Anfield feels like. pic.twitter.com/c2rVHQxjK8
— Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) November 3, 2024
In 15 competitive games this term, Liverpool have dropped points just twice, a 2-2 draw with Arsenal and a shock 1-0 home defeat to high-flying Nottingham Forest.
Leverkusen: WDDWD
The Bundesliga champions have only tasted defeat once in nine games this season, but a series of draws leaves Leverkusen seven points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
In Europe, Leverkusen have impressed to pick up seven points from their first three matches, with Brest’s Pierre Lees-Melou the only player to have breached their goal.
Xabi Alonso’s team have not lost an away match since May 2023. That remarkable record bodes well for the German outfit, who will be looking to extend that run to 35 matches at Anfield.
Liverpool 🆚 Leverkusen
Xabi Alonso returns to Anfield 🤩#UCL pic.twitter.com/34RoKRHvn0
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 4, 2024
Last Meeting: Leverkusen 1-3 Liverpool, Champions League, 9th March 2005
Liverpool eliminated Bayer Leverkusen on route to winning the Champions League during the 2004/05 season.
Rafael Benitez’s side made light work of the German outfit in the Round of 16, winning 3-1 in both legs to progress to the quarter-finals. Luis Garcia was the architect of an impressive win on the road in Europe, as the Spaniard struck twice in the first half to put the visitors in a commanding position. Milan Baros added a third after the break as Liverpool cruised into the last eight.
Leverkusen had beaten Real Madrid and Roma at home earlier in the competition, though Liverpool swept aside their hosts. Jacek Krzynowek’s goal was little consolation for Leverkusen.
Predicted Lineups
Liverpool: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Nunez.
Leverkusen: Hradecky; Frimpong, Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie, Grimaldo; Xhaka, Andrich; Hoffman, Wirtz, Boniface.
Who is the referee?
Dutch referee Danny Makkelie will be the match official. He will be assisted by Hessel Steegstra and Jan de Vries while Allard Lindhout will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Rob Dieperink and he will be assisted by Clay Ruperti.
What channel will Liverpool vs Leverkusen be on?
Liverpool vs Leverkusen will be available to watch on Amazon Prime UK.
What time is kick-off?
Kick-off at Anfield will be at 20:00 GMT on Tuesday 5th November 2024.
Odds
Liverpool – 7/10
Draw – 16/5
Leverkusen – 10/3
Read – Five talking points ahead of the Champions League action
See more – Liverpool grasp the nettle as Arsenal and Man City falter in quest for title
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