Liverpool head into their fourth Champions League match of the season in a superb place, however Bayer Leverkusen current their hardest take a look at but at Anfield.
Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Champions League (4) | AnfieldNovember 5, 2024 | 8pm (GMT)
After beating Brighton and leapfrogging Man Metropolis onto the highest of the Premier League, Liverpool at the moment are seeking to prolong their profitable 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 good 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 document matching the Reds, profitable 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 under the automated qualification locations for the spherical of 16.
Whereas computerized qualification received’t be assured for any facet till the final couple of matchdays, the Reds are wanting good to remain to complete within the prime 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 workforce presently 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, good passing means.
When he swapped Merseyside for Madrid, the midfielder was 28 years previous 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 few years.
On the weekend, Alonso mentioned: “It’s an enormous sport. To play within the Champions League at Anfield. It could actually’t get significantly better than that, the environment is tremendous.
“They’re one in all greatest groups in Europe, they’re dominant so it’s an enormous problem, they are going to 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 dealing with a spell on the sidelines.
Fortunately, there was no break to his wrist and he’s already again in coaching and, in line with Konate himself, obtainable to play towards Leverkusen.
On Monday, he wrote on-line “My damage isn’t critical fortunately. I had a scan immediately and it confirmed there isn’t any break. I’ll be prepared for the following sport.”
4. Liverpool workforce prediction
As regular, arguably the most important 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 percentages are that he’ll come again in for the Leverkusen match.
The identical may very well be mentioned about Curtis Jones, who additionally made an impression from the bench on the weekend, whereas in defence, Konate won’t be risked regardless of being “fully recovered,” in line 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 mentioned: “It will likely be fairly cool. Clearly I’ve been there and skilled fairly a couple 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, it will likely be a particular second tomorrow and one I’m wanting ahead to for positive.”
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 really gone too effectively.
After profitable 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 received simply one in all their final 4 matches, together with a 1-1 draw towards Brest within the Champions League, a contest during 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 may 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 mentioned: “It’s a large European tie which is sort of all the time the scenario should you play Champions League, even within the new format, though there may be possibly one or two or three groups that aren’t as often called all the opposite groups which might be within the competitors.”
“In Europe final season, they have been unbelievable in fact. This season, in my view, they’re nonetheless the identical. Simply nearly as good however a bit extra unfortunate with regards to outcomes.
“So, a sport to stay up for for many individuals who love this sport.”
8. Wonderful residence document towards German groups
Mo Salah is one objective away from recording 50 within the Champions League – he has scored extra within the competitors than another 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 complete, profitable 16 video games and drawing the opposite 4, holding 14 clear sheets within the course of.
Every of Liverpool’s six targets within the Champions League this season has come from a special 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 workforce, 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 attraction the officers in his native Dutch language!
10. Comply with the match with TIA
Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen is stay on Amazon Prime Video with kick-off at 8pm (GMT).
TIA’s matchday stay weblog might be up and operating from 7.15pm, with Henry Jackson tasked with holding you entertained and up-to-date.
Come on you Reds!
