Softfootball previews Tuesday’s highly anticipated Champions League match between Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen, a game marked by Xabi Alonso’s emotional return to Anfield as the head coach of Leverkusen.
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Match Context:
Xabi Alonso’s return to Anfield is set to captivate fans as he leads his Bayer Leverkusen team into a critical Champions League clash. Liverpool, unbeaten in their group, have won all three matches and trail only Aston Villa in the UCL standings. Leverkusen, meanwhile, have gathered seven points from their three fixtures and could overtake Liverpool with a win.
Season Snapshot:
The backdrop of this match is the dramatic appointment of Arne Slot, who became Liverpool’s manager after Alonso declined overtures from the Reds, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid to stay at Leverkusen. Slot’s tenure has been impressive, with Liverpool winning 10 of their last 11 matches and rising to the top of the Premier League after a tight 2-1 win over Brighton on Saturday, a game that tested their resilience after a rocky first half.
Leverkusen’s campaign has been less spectacular but steady. Last season, they came close to a treble before falling in the Europa League final. Their current UCL form includes victories over Feyenoord and AC Milan and a draw with Brest. They remain unbeaten away this season, reinforcing Alonso’s reputation as a strong tactician.
Head-to-Head:
The last competitive encounters between these sides were in the 2004-05 Champions League, where Liverpool claimed back-to-back 3-1 wins en route to their legendary title run. Alonso, then a Liverpool player, missed those ties due to injury. Now, he returns as a coach hoping to turn the tables.
Recent Form:
Liverpool’s Champions League run has been perfect so far, defeating AC Milan, Bologna, and RB Leipzig. Domestically, their form remains formidable, with a string of victories under Slot. However, cracks were evident against Brighton, where a subpar first-half performance raised questions about potential fatigue setting in.
Leverkusen, dubbed the “Bundesliga Invincibles,” have had mixed success in Europe, drawing with Brest but triumphing over tougher opponents. Their recent domestic form includes a goalless draw with Stuttgart, which extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches but left them seven points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.
Team News:
Liverpool: Ibrahima Konate’s arm injury from the Brighton game will likely see Joe Gomez slotting into defense. Alisson Becker (hamstring), Harvey Elliott (foot), Federico Chiesa (fitness), and Diogo Jota (abdominal) are out. Mohamed Salah, who surpassed Robbie Fowler’s Premier League goal record, aims to continue his scoring streak at Anfield.
Leverkusen: Alonso’s side will miss Nordi Mukiele (thigh), Amine Adli (broken leg), and Jeanuel Belocian (foot). Martin Terrier’s availability remains hopeful after missing Friday’s match. Jeremie Frimpong could step in to cover for Mukiele, and Florian Wirtz will look to join the elite club of young players to score in three consecutive away UCL games.
Predicted Lineups:
Liverpool:
Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Jones, Diaz; Nunez
Bayer Leverkusen:
Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Garcia, Grimaldo; Terrier, Wirtz; Boniface
Outlook:
Despite Liverpool’s golden run under Slot, their recent lack of emphatic victories hints at vulnerability. Leverkusen, known for playing to draws in tough games, could exploit this fatigue. Alonso’s tactical acumen and their unbeaten road record suggest this could be closer than expected.
