Liverpool v Bayer Leverkusen – Champions League Preview

Date – 5th November 2024

Venue – Anfield

Kick Off: 20:00

The weekend ended with Liverpool returning to the pinnacle of the English top division as clear Premier League leaders, whilst their direct title rivals, Arsenal, and Manchester City, both fell to away day losses at Newcastle, and Bournemouth, respectively. Following a wonderful start to life on Merseyside, Arne Slot is currently presiding over a superb domestic campaign and a quarter final place in the EFL Cup. A shift back to European action back comes next, as attentions revert to the Champions League and the next game up in this altered competition. Bayer Leverkusen will arrive to Anfield on Tuesday evening and their celebrated manager, Xabi Alonso, will be keen to lock horns with the club where he once played to an extraordinary level.

The Bayer Leverkusen Availability

In terms of availability, Amine Adli, and Jeanuël Belocian, are both out injured and unavailable for selection.

Regarding early season form, the German club fell to a surprise 0-0 draw at home to Stuttgart at the weekend, following a solid 3-0 win at home to visiting SV Elversberg in the second round of the DFB Pokal. Prior to that dominant cup win, a 2-2 draw (away to Werder Bremen) was recorded in their Bundesliga schedule, after a 1-1 draw away to Brest in their previous Champion’s League outing. Following nine games played in the German top tier, last season’s runaway winners sit fourth in the Bundesliga with sixteen points garnered. In this opening stage of the revamped European Cup, Xabi Alonso’s men sit in sixth position, with a decent seven-point return after their three games played.

A predicted line up for the away team is listed below, in a 3-4-3 formation, one which will look to penetrate through wide positions. The pace and productivity of Jeremie Frimpong will be vital to any counter attacks, whereas the control of midfield will be an enthralling watch against two very coordinated sides.

GK – Lukas Hradecky

RCB – Jonathan Tah

CB – Edmond Tapsoba

LCB – Piero Hincapié

LWB – Alejandro Grimaldo

CM – Granit Xhaka

CM – Exequiel Palacios

RWB – Jeremie Frimpong

RW – Jonas Hofmann

CF – Victor Boniface

LF – Florian Wirtz

The Liverpool Availability

In terms of injures, Harvey Elliott remains sidelined until late November, as he recovers from his fractured foot, whereas Diogo Jota may be out until December with a suspected fractured rib. Alisson Becker is a few weeks away from his return, whilst Federico Chiesa is not set to return until after the upcoming international break, due to his slow transition at the AXA Training Centre. Ibrahima Konaté sustained a hand injury at the weekend and was subsequently replaced at half time by the very impressive Joe Gomez. Though the France defender may well be fit for action on Tuesday evening, he could be rested ahead of the weekend game against visiting Aston Villa.

Regarding recent form, a very impressive comeback saw Liverpool beat Brighton, 1-2, at Anfield on Saturday, after the recent midweek tie which saw Arne Slot successfully enter the next round of the EFL Cup with a 2-3 win, away to Brighton. Last weekend ended with a positive 2-2 draw in north London, as the reds earned a vital point away at Arsenal. The table toppers are currently top of the Premier League after garnering a tremendous 25-points from their ten games played.

Below is the team I believe the Dutch boss, Arne Slot, will start for this next European tie. The incoming weekend will see Villa arrive on Merseyside; therefore, I expect a couple of changes from the win against Brighton.

The Starting Eleven

GK – Caoimhin Kelleher

RB – Trent Alexander Arnold

RCB – Joe Gomez

LCB – Virgil van Dijk (c)

LB – Andy Robertson

CDM – Ryan Gravenberch

CM – Alexis Mac Allister

ACM – Curtis Jones

RF – Mohamed Salah

CF – Darwin Núñez

LF – Luis Díaz

How Will This Contest Play Out

Liverpool will look to suppress the enviable talents of last season Bundesliga sensations, with a tactical battle between two of Europe’s best young coaches. Bayer Leverkusen have not been brilliant of late, which should make for a difficult encounter under the Anfield lights. Ultimately, Liverpool is in a rich vein of form and will want to establish themselves as the European powerhouse on the night. The defensive acumen and offensive capabilities of the reds should see them through, however. The undeniable world class talents of Florian Wirtz should make for an exciting encounter.

Welcome back, Xabi.

Player to watch – Curtis Jones

Score Prediction;

Liverpool 2 – 1 Bayer Leverkusen