Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
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A former Champions League winner with Liverpool as a player, Xabi Alonso returns to Anfield as head coach of Bayer Leverkusen, aiming to end the Reds’ 100% record in the competition under Arne Slot.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Tuesday November 5th 2024: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Amazon Prime Video / US – CBS Sports
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Amazon Prime Video / US – Paramount+
LIVERPOOL PREVIEW: ONE OF TWO SIDES TO HAVE WON THREE FROM THREE
Liverpool’s come-from-behind won over Brighton in the Premier League this past weekend means it’s now 13 wins from 15 in all competitions since the appointment of Arne Slot as head coach. They also boast a perfect record so far in this new league phase format of the Champions League, a feat matched only by fellow Premier League side Aston Villa.
Having withstood numerous waves of attacking pressure across the 90 minutes to edge out RB Leipzig 0-1 in Germany through a Darwin Nunez goal, Liverpool are now looking to complete a Bundesliga double, this time by beating the champions themselves.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN PREVIEW: SEVEN POINTS FROM NINE, BUT JUST ONE WIN IN LAST FOUR
Bayer Leverkusen have stuttered recently, finding victories difficult to come by although they remain extremely difficult to beat. Xabi Alonso’s side’s only win across their last four games in all competitions came against lower league opposition in the DFB-Pokal, whilst a 0-0 draw with Stuttgart this past weekend saw them lose further ground on Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.
In the Champions League, Leverkusen saw their 100% start ended by Brest, who deservedly held Alonso’s men to a draw in France. With perhaps less pressure here on the German champions when taking into account the quality of opposition, that may end up suiting their style of play.
LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS: SLOT SWEATS ON KONATE ARM
Defender Ibrahima Konate could be ruled out of this match with an arm injury suffered at the weekend. His absence would likely mean either Joe Gomez or Jarell Quansah partnering Virgil van Dijk in the centre of defence. Luis Diaz may replace Cody Gakpo on the left-hand side of attack.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Nunez
UNAVAILABLE: Alisson (Injured), Chiesa (Injured), Elliott (Injured), Jota (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Konate (Injured)
BAYER LEVERKUSEN TEAM NEWS: NO SURPRISES EXPECTED FROM VISITORS
Xabi Alonso’s starting XI is unlikely to shock anyone, with only Amine Adli, Jeanuel Belocian and Nordi Mukiele out through injury. Robert Andrich should be preferred in central midfield over Exequiel Palacios and Aleix Garcia, whilst Jonas Hofmann is expected to start with Martin Terrier also injured.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo; Hofmann, Boniface, Wirtz
UNAVAILABLE: Adli (Injured), Belocian (Injured), Mukiele (Injured), Terrier (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
KEY STATS
- Liverpool have never lost a UEFA competition match against a German team at Anfield (W14 D4).
- Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 13 UEFA competition matches against German teams (W10 D3). Since a 4-2 defeat away from home against Bayer Leverkusen in the 2001/02 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.
- Liverpool won both of their previous two UEFA competition matches at home against Bayer Leverkusen.
- Liverpool have won 14 of their last 15 UEFA Champions League group/league phase matches (L1).
- Liverpool are aiming to win a ninth successive UEFA Champions League group/league phase match at home.
- Liverpool have kept five clean sheets in their last six UEFA Champions League group/league phase matches at home.
- Bayer Leverkusen have lost only one of their last 17 UEFA competition matches (W11 D5).
- Bayer Leverkusen’s only win in their previous 11 UEFA competition matches away from home against English teams (D3 L7) is a 1-0 victory against Tottenham at Wembley in the 2016/17 UEFA Champions League group stage.
- Bayer Leverkusen have only failed to score in one of their last 16 UEFA competition matches.
- A goal for Florian Wirtz would see him the first German player to score more than three goals in his first four appearances in the UEFA Champions League proper.
LIVERPOOL VS BAYER LEVERKUSEN PREDICTION
Liverpool boasts a formidable record against German opposition in the Champions League, although Bayer Leverkusen were the last German club to defeat them in this competition. Anfield has never been a happy-hunting ground for Bundesliga clubs, but Xabi Alonso knows it extremely well and if there’s one thing we know about this Leverkusen side, they have a habit of defying the odds and making history.
However, perhaps the stress of such a demanding schedule may be starting to affect the visitors and Liverpool are such a strong team at home in Europe. Facing the likes of Salah in the form he is currently will be one of many huge challenges for Leverkusen and with that in mind, the Reds are worth backing to win. But writing off their opponents is a mistake and it would be wise to play things safe by utilising the draw no bet market.
LIVERPOOL VS BAYER LEVERKUSEN TIP: LIVERPOOL DRAW NO BET
