Liverpool head into their fourth Champions League match of the season in a very good place, however Bayer Leverkusen current their hardest take a look at but at Anfield.
Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Champions League (4) | Anfield
November 5, 2024 | 8pm (GMT)
After beating Brighton and leapfrogging Man Metropolis onto the highest of the Premier League, Liverpool at the moment are trying to prolong their successful run in Europe.
A win towards Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen would see Liverpool, at a minimal, stay joint-top of the Champions League league part league desk – absolutely there’s a greater identify for it than that.
1. The Champions League state of play
Liverpool have been excellent up to now in Europe this season, beating AC Milan and RB Leipzig away, in addition to Bologna at residence.
Solely Aston Villa can declare to have a file matching the Reds, successful towards Younger Boys, Bayern Munich and Bologna at residence additionally.
Such is the character of the league part, although, Liverpool are nonetheless solely two factors above Arsenal who sit ninth, one place beneath the automated qualification locations for the spherical of 16.
Whereas computerized qualification gained’t be assured for any facet till the final couple of matchdays, the Reds are trying good to remain to complete within the high 24 of the league, which might qualify Arne Slot‘s facet for the play-off spherical.
With three factors from three matches, AC Milan are the staff at present in twenty fifth place.
2. Xabi Alonso again at Anfield
Earlier than leaving for Actual Madrid in 2009, Xabi Alonso was a agency favorite amongst Liverpool supporters for his floppy hair, soccer mind and above all, sensible passing means.
When he swapped Merseyside for Madrid, the midfielder was 28 years outdated and would go on to win 4 league titles and a Champions League throughout his time in Spain and at Bayern Munich.
He by no means confronted Liverpool as a participant and, now managing Leverkusen, will return to Anfield to a heat reception.
It isn’t actually his first time again, although – the Spaniard has performed in Liverpool Legends matches over the previous couple of years.
On the weekend, Alonso stated: “It’s an enormous sport. To play within the Champions League at Anfield. It may’t get a lot better than that, the environment is tremendous.
“They’re considered one of greatest groups in Europe, they’re dominant so it’s an enormous problem, they may make it troublesome for us.”
3. Ibrahima Konate is ok after wrist damage
Having been compelled off simply earlier than half time towards Brighton along with his arm in a makeshift sling, followers feared Ibrahima Konate was going through a spell on the sidelines.
Fortunately, there was no break to his wrist and he’s already again in coaching and, in accordance with Konate himself, out there to play towards Leverkusen.
On Monday, he wrote on-line “My damage isn’t critical fortunately. I had a scan at the moment and it confirmed there is no such thing as a break. I’ll be prepared for the following sport.”
4. Liverpool staff prediction
As regular, arguably the largest choice conundrum for Slot comes on the left wing as he should resolve whether or not to play Cody Gakpo or Luis Diaz.
Given the latter didn’t begin towards Brighton on Saturday, the chances are that he’ll come again in for the Leverkusen match.
The identical may very well be stated about Curtis Jones, who additionally made an influence from the bench on the weekend, whereas in defence, Konate may not be risked regardless of being “fully recovered,” in accordance with Slot.
Predicted XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
5. Caoimhin Kelleher experiencing Anfield first
Regardless of having made 53 appearances for the Reds, Caoimhin Kelleher has by no means performed a Champions League sport in entrance of supporters at Anfield.
Requested in regards to the upcoming event, he stated: “It will likely be fairly cool. Clearly I’ve been there and skilled fairly a number of nights of Champions League – I didn’t play clearly however I used to be right here.
“The environment is all the time electrical on European nights so yeah, will probably be a particular second tomorrow and one I’m trying ahead to for certain.”
6. 1 win in 4 for Leverkusen
Whereas Alonso could also be returning to Anfield as an unbeaten Bundesliga-winning supervisor, the present season hasn’t truly gone too properly.
After successful the DFB Pokal, Bundesliga and reaching the Europa League last, Leverkusen went into the present marketing campaign with excessive expectations.
With 9 matches performed, although, they’ve 16 factors, 9 fewer than at this stage final season.
As well as, they’ve gained simply considered one of their final 4 matches, together with a 1-1 draw towards Brest within the Champions League, a contest through which they’ve seven factors from three video games towards Feyenoord, AC Milan and Brest.
7. “An enormous European tie,” says Arne Slot
Whereas Liverpool might lose this sport, and probably one other couple, and nonetheless progress to win the trophy outright, Slot thinks that is nonetheless “an enormous European tie.”
The Dutchman stated: “It’s a huge European tie which is sort of all the time the state of affairs when you play Champions League, even within the new format, though there may be perhaps one or two or three groups that aren’t as often called all the opposite groups which can be within the competitors.”
“In Europe final season, they have been unimaginable in fact. This season, in my view, they’re nonetheless the identical. Simply pretty much as good however a bit extra unfortunate in relation to outcomes.
“So, a sport to look ahead to for many individuals who love this sport.”
8. Wonderful residence file towards German groups
Mo Salah is one purpose away from recording 50 within the Champions League – he has scored extra within the competitors than every other African participant in historical past.
Liverpool have by no means misplaced to a German facet at Anfield in Europe, having confronted them 20 instances in whole, successful 16 video games and drawing the opposite 4, preserving 14 clear sheets within the course of.
Every of Liverpool’s six objectives within the Champions League this season has come from a distinct scorer: Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Darwin Nunez and Salah.
9. Who’s the referee?
The match might be refereed by an all-Dutch officiating staff, led by Danny Makkelie on the pitch and Rob Dieperink within the VAR sales space.
Their compatriots, Hessel Steegstra and Jan de Vries, are the assistant referees, whereas Clay Ruperti will help Dieperink on VAR.
The fourth official is Allard Lindhout. Hopefully, Slot can appeal the officers in his native Dutch language!
10. Comply with the match with TIA
Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen is dwell on Amazon Prime Video with kick-off at 8pm (GMT).
TIA’s matchday dwell weblog might be up and operating from 7.15pm, with Henry Jackson tasked with preserving you entertained and up-to-date.
Come on you Reds!
