Match Details
Date: Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Time: 20:00 GMT
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen Preview
Xabi Alonso finally makes his much-awaited return to Anfield this Tuesday as his Bayer Leverkusen side goes head-to-head with Liverpool in an important Champions League encounter. The Reds are flying in the Champions League, having kept a clean sheet in their opening three games of the campaign, but Leverkusen have the chance to leapfrog their opponents with victory.
Liverpool’s Form Under Arne Slot
Since Arne Slot arrived manager, Liverpool has seen a resurgence. After beating AC Milan, Bologna, and RB Leipzig in the Champions League, the Reds are now second in the UCL rankings, just behind Aston Villa. In their last domestic outing, Liverpool edged Brighton 2-1-a victory that catapulted them to the top of the Premier League standings.
Liverpool have excellent form at home in recent times, having won the last five home matches in which they scored at least two in each. They are looking to win their first four Champions League games of the season for just the second time, doing so last term on their way to the 2021-22 final.
Key Stats for Liverpool:
Standing in Champions League: Second in the table
Recent home form: Five back-to-back wins, scoring at least twice in each.
Premier League: First-placed after 10 wins in the last 11 games.
Bayer Leverkusen’s European Journey and Form in the Bundesliga
Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen has been resilient in Europe, taking seven points from their first three Champions League games with wins over Feyenoord and AC Milan, even though they were held to a disappointing draw against Brest. Domestically, Leverkusen sits six points off Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich after a recent goalless draw with Stuttgart extended their unbeaten streak to 11 games.
On the road, however, Leverkusen has fared well this season: four away wins followed by three draws. Alonso’s side will look to ruin Liverpool’s perfect Champions League start, but they must meet an intense challenge in doing so.
Key Stats for Bayer Leverkusen:
Champions League form: Unbeaten with seven points.
Away form in all competitions: Four wins and three draws in 2024-25.
Unbeaten streak: Eleven games across all competitions.
Liverpool vs. Bayer Leverkusen Team News and Predicted Lineups
Influential defender Ibrahima Konate may not be in Liverpool’s matchday squad due to an arm injury which he suffered during the win over Brighton, in which case Joe Gomez is the likely replacement for him. Alisson Becker (hamstring), Harvey Elliott (foot), Federico Chiesa (fitness), and Diogo Jota (abdominal) are also ruled out. Up top, Mohamed Salah is poised to become the first player in 21 years to find the net in six consecutive Champions League home outings for an English club.
Bayer Leverkusen Nordi Mukiele is out due to a thigh injury, but Amine Adli remains unfit to start with his broken leg, and Jeanuel Belocian won’t be ready in time due to a problem with his foot. Martin Terrier could possibly get a chance at coming back, though, which might send Jeremie Frimpong back into the right flank position. Florian Wirtz finally seems to be getting into his rhythm and will be off on his quest to make it three goals from three Champions League games on the road.
Predicted Lineups
Liverpool
Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Jones, Diaz; Nunez
Bayer Leverkusen Predicted Lineup:
Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Garcia, Grimaldo; Terrier, Wirtz; Boniface
Prediction: Liverpool 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen
Liverpool’s brilliant run under Slot could be in for a test as Leverkusen have proved very hard to beat this season. Even though Liverpool are on their streak of winning, the performances of late show that the fatigue of the squad may be kicking in. Leverkusen do have the knack for pulling draws, and with the match turning out tight, the stalemate after 90 minutes could mean an end to Liverpool’s perfect Champions League run.
Prediction Summary:
Final Score: Liverpool 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen
Betting Tip: Both teams to score in a closely fought match at Anfield.
