Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen LIVE: Champions League build-up and updates as Gakpo and Diaz start

By The Independent (Sports) | Created at 2024-11-05 19:39:29 | Updated at 2024-11-05 23:09:31 3 hours ago

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The Reds look to continue their winning run in the European top-flight

Arne Slot relaxed about Liverpool contract expirations

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Liverpool host the Bundesliga champions in tonight’s Champions League clash as Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen make the trip to Anfield for this league phase match-up.

Arne Slot’s side have made a perfect start to their European campaign winning all three of their matches so far with victories over AC Milan, Bologna and RB Leipzig. Two of those wins came away from home and Slot will hope the atmosphere inside Anfield will carry his players to a fourth victory in a row against the German side.

Leverkusen have been unable to continue their impressive form from last season but are still a threatening side. They are unbeaten in the Champions League with two wins and a draw and sit fourth in the Bundesliga after nine games. Their last defeat came at the end of August and they are unbeaten in 11 matches since meaning Liverpool will have to work hard to claim all three points tonight.

Follow all the Champions League action with our live blog below:

Szoboszlai vs Leverkusen

Dominik Szoboszlai scored a winning goal for RB Leipzig against Leverkusen in an April 2022 Bundesliga clash.

Mike Jones5 November 2024 19:35

Salah vs Leverkusen

Mo Salah scored for Roma against Bayer Leverkusen in the group phase of the Champions League in 2015-16, in his side’s 3-2 win. Can he score against them again tonight?

Mike Jones5 November 2024 19:30

Salah nearing half-century

Mohamed Salah has scored 49 Champions League goals in his career, including qualifiers, with 43 coming while at the Reds. Only 10 players have previously reached 50 goals in the competition.

Mike Jones5 November 2024 19:25

Mohamed Salah shows his evolution to keep Liverpool on title track

At the ripe old age of 32, Mohamed Salah cannot give defenders a headache for 90 minutes like he used to, nor will the numbers continue to be as otherworldly as they once were. What these once-in-a-lifetime talents can do, however, is conjure season-defining moments, when his team needs them most.

For large swathes of Saturday’s gripping clash with Brighton & Hove Albion, the visitors were head and shoulders above their opponents, making Liverpool look foolish as they chased shadows in the first half.

Mike Jones5 November 2024 19:20

Four in a row?

A victory in this tie would see Liverpool win each of their opening four matches of a European campaign for only the sixth time.

Mike Jones5 November 2024 19:15

The Reds’ recent record

Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 13 meetings with German opposition in all European competition (winning 10 and drawing three) since a 4-2 loss at Leverkusen in April 2002.

Mike Jones5 November 2024 19:10