Liverpool moved to the top of the Champions League table and kept their European winning streak going with a fine outing against Bayer Leverkusen at Anfield.
Xabi Alonso’s German champions were solid and secure in a tentative first half that lacked quality in front of goal. Luis Diaz found the goalkeeper’s gloves and Jeremie Frimpong had a goal ruled out for offside as the teams traded blows.
The second half was all Liverpool. Three goals, two for Diaz and one for Cody Gakpo ensured they left the field with three points and another notch to Arne Slot’s reputation. Diaz’s first was made by Curtis Jones who slipped a fine pass into the box before Diaz chipped the goalkeeper to open the scoring.
Mo Salah then set up the second with a cross to Gakpo who headed home a few minutes later. That broke Leverkusen’s resistance and the Reds added a late third as Salah found Diaz for his second of the night.
Diaz wasn’t done though. With three minutes of added time, Liverpool countered and Darwin Nunez set Diaz up to complete his hat-trick.
Relive the Champions League action with our live blog below:
Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen LIVE
- REPORT: Arne Slot’s Liverpool evoke European history with devastatingly effortless display against Leverkusen
- Liverpool defeat Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League
- 90+2’ GOAL! Diaz completes his hat-trick (LIV 4-0 LEV)
- 83’ GOAL! Diaz adds a third late in the game (LIV 3-0 LEV)
- 63’ GOAL! Gakpo meets a cross and nods home (LIV 2-0 LEV)
- 61 GOAL! Luis Diaz opens the scoring (LIV 1-0 LEV)
- 43’ DISALLOWED! Frimpong scores but the goal is chalked off (LIV 0-0 LEV)
Arne Slot’s Liverpool evoke European history with devastatingly effortless display against Leverkusen
22:18 , Mike JonesXabi Alonso said he didn’t want to come to Liverpool as tourists and his Bayer Leverkusen certainly leave without any mementoes. Not a point. Not a goal. Not their pride. Not any hold on Luis Diaz, either, who hit a hat-trick. Leverkusen didn’t even see that much of the ball, as Liverpool translated almost 60% possession into a thoroughly convincing 4-0 win. It was fitting of a team first in this expanded table.
For all the inevitable focus on a former Liverpool Champions League winner who knew how to play a pass - and suffered a reckoning here - wins like this are maybe the moment when it’s worth going even further back into the club’s European history. There is a genuinely noteworthy reference, that actually came the last time Liverpool saw a talismanic and charismatic figurehead replaced by a more placid but possibly more calculating character.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool evoke European history with devastatingly effortless display
Record for Diaz
22:36 , Mike JonesLuis Diaz is only the second Colombian player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League, after Faustino Asprilla for Newcastle vs Barcelona in September 1997
Liverpool boss on Kelleher’s future:
22:31 , Mike Jones“That’s in the future. Jaros is doing well and we have another goalkeeper as well. What I like about today is we only needed him five minutes from the end. We’re hard to play through but sometimes they play through the press. I like the work rate of the players.”
Slot on Van Dijk:
22:31 , Mike Jones“Virgil sometimes gets criticised about not stepping into the midfield. Now I would advise these people to watch this game today because he was constantly on the front foot.”
Liverpool manager Arne Slot speaking to Amazon Prime:
22:30 , Mike Jones“I don’t know if it was that much to do with intensity but we took more risk. They overloaded the midfield a lot and we adjusted a half-tine and took the risk to play one v one all over. We had better chances in the first half and they weren’t a goal threat.
“As much as this time, how good they are in Europe, sometimes a strong target man is better than someone a bit faster. Curtis Jones did an incredible pass and then you have someone with the pace of Lucho to finish it off. The pass was as good as the goal in my opinion.
“You don’t look ahead as a manager at the next three months. You’re always one game at a time. We’ve got Aston Villa on Saturday, another tough game.”
FT Liverpool 4-0 Leverkusen
22:02 , Mike JonesLiverpool now top the Champions League table with a perfect 12 points from their four matches. Their next fixture is against Real Madrid who were beaten this evening 3-1 by AC Milan.
A win for the Reds there and they’ll be pretty much through to the last-16.
Full-time! Liverpool 4-0 Leverkusen
21:54 , Mike Jones90+4 mins: Liverpool moved to the top of the Champions League table and kept their European winning streak going with a fine outing against Bayer Leverkusen at Anfield.
Xabi Alonso’s German champions were solid and secure in a tentative first half that lacked quality in front of goal. Luis Diaz found the goalkeeper’s gloves and Jeremie Frimpong had a goal ruled out for offside as the teams traded blows.
The second half was all Liverpool. Three goals, two for Diaz and one for Cody Gakpo ensured they left the field with three points and another notch to Arne Slot’s reputation. Diaz’s first was made by Curtis Jones who slipped a fine pass into the box before Diaz chipped the goalkeeper to open the scoring.
Mo Salah then set up the second with a cross to Gakpo who headed home a few minutes later. That broke Leverkusen’s resistance and the Reds added a late third as Salah found Diaz for his second of the night.
Diaz wasn’t done though. With three minutes of added time, Liverpool countered and Darwin Nunez set Diaz up to complete his hat-trick.
GOAL! Liverpool 4-0 Leverkusen (Luis Diaz, 90+2 mins)
21:53 , Mike JonesAndy Robertson slides into a tackle to win the ball and kick start a sweeping counter attack. He feeds it to Darwin Nunez who flies up the pitch and has a shot deflected into the path of Luis Diaz.
Diaz has eyes for goal and slots home to complete a hat-trick and a Liverpool rout.
Liverpool 3-0 Leverkusen
21:51 , Mike Jones90 mins: Three minutes of added time to play.
Liverpool 3-0 Leverkusen
21:45 , Mike Jones86 mins: A Liverpool break is led by Darwin Nunez but he makes the wrong decision with a pass to the right which gets intercepted and cleared.
It shouldn’t make a difference to the result but for Nunez’s confidence he’ll want to see this game out strongly.
GOAL! Liverpool 3-0 Leverkusen (Luis Diaz, 83 mins)
21:43 , Mike Jones83 mins: Arne Slot’s Liverpool are looking better and better with each game they play.
Mo Salah receives the ball on the right. He rolls it onto his left foot and whips a cross over to the back post where Luis Diaz brings the ball down under pressure then curls it into the net.
Liverpool 2-0 Leverkusen
21:40 , Mike Jones81 mins: More changes from Arne Slot. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kostas Tsimikas and Cody Gakpo are off with Conor Bradley, Andy Robertson and Darwin Nunez brought on.
Fresh legs to close out this match for the Reds.
Liverpool 2-0 Leverkusen
21:39 , Mike Jones79 mins: Around the Champions League there are some surprising scorelines. Celtic are still beating RB Leipzig but it’s now 3-1 while Sporting CP have taken a 3-1 lead over Man City and Real Madrid are losing 3-1 to AC Milan.
Liverpool 2-0 Leverkusen
21:36 , Mike Jones76 mins: Liverpool spray the ball over to the right side and give Mo Salah a chase into the penalty area. Lukas Hradecky comes off his line and clutches the ball before Salah gets there.
Liverpool 2-0 Leverkusen
21:33 , Mike Jones73 mins: Arne Slot makes a change now with the creator of the first goal, Curtis Jones, heading off so that Dominik Szoboszlai gets a run out.
That’s not a bad change is it?
Liverpool 2-0 Leverkusen
21:32 , Mike Jones70 mins: It’s party time at Anfield. The crowd are loving this game now and so are the Liverpool players.
They’re flooding into the box and taking shots from here, there and everywhere. Alexander-Arnold strikes one from range and laces the effort up and over.
Liverpool 2-0 Leverkusen
21:26 , Mike Jones66 mins: Liverpool have ramped up the tempo and the finishing. They now have a comfortable lead and look on course to finish the night at the top of the Champions League table.
Xabi Alonso needs to come up with a response.
GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Leverkusen (Cody Gakpo, 63 mins)
21:25 , Mike JonesAnother one!
Liverpool sweep quickly up the pitch and find Salah on the right side. He touches the ball to the edge of the box then swings a cross over to the opposite side of the area.
Cody Gakpo is there and nods it into the back of the net.
A VAR check is needed to confirm the goal which was initially ruled offside. This one goes Liverpool’s way.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Leverkusen (Luis Diaz, 61 mins)
21:21 , Mike JonesThere’s the breakthrough!
Curtis Jones makes this goal with a pass through three defenders to slip Luis Diaz into the box. Diaz has a quick glance at the goalkeeper then lifts it over him to open the scoring.
Arne Slot enjoyed that one.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
21:20 , Mike Jones60 mins: An hour played at Anfield and the crowd have increased the noise in the hopes of getting their team onto the front foot and int othe final third.
Lukas Hradecky has been booked for time wasting. The Leverkusen goalkeeper had plentiful warnings from the referee.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
21:17 , Mike Jones57 mins: Oh lucky!
Gakpo looks to weave his way into the box from the left but loses the ball to Edmond Tapsoba. The defender then gifts it back to Gakpo who is surprised by the pass and can’t control the ball inside the box.
Leverkusen clear, they’ve got away with one there.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
21:14 , Mike Jones54 mins: Here come Liverpool.
They win a free kick over on the left wing that Tsimikas hooks into the box. It’s a high cross that none of the Liverpool men can get to. Grimaldo meets it over by the back post and works the ball clear.
A bit of frustration showing for the hosts.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
21:10 , Mike Jones51 mins: Liverpool recover the ball as Leverkusen try to press up the pitch. The hosts work it quickly out to the left wing where Cody Gakpo drives into the box.
He lifts a cross over to the far side of the area where Mo Salah attempts to keep it in play. He can’t.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
21:08 , Mike Jones48 mins: Slick passing from Leverkusen sees them move the ball over to the right side and pick of Frimpong on the wing. He delivers a cross that Tsimikas turns behind for a corner.
Grimaldo swings in the set piece but hooks it straight out of play.
Second half! Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
21:05 , Mike JonesLiverpool kick off the second half attacking thr Kop as they like to do. Can they get themselves into the lead over the next 45 minutes?
HT Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
21:00 , Mike JonesA quick glance around the other Champions League scores of the evening shows Manchester City and Sporting CP locked in a heated 1-1 draw in the first match-up between Pep Guardiola and Manchester United’s incoming boss Ruben Amorim.
Elsewhere, Celtic have come from behind to lead RB Leipzig 2-1 at Celtic Park thanks to a brace form Nicolas Kuhn. Can the Hoops go on to win that one?
HT Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:56 , Mike JonesHere’s a look at Frimpong’s disallowed goal. It’s the only moment of real excitement we’ve had in this close match so far.
😲 Leverkusen have the ball in the net at Anfield...
— Amazon Prime Video Sport (@primevideosport) November 5, 2024
...but it's ruled out because of handball! #UCLonPrime pic.twitter.com/VBA2NwAVcY
HT Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:52 , Mike Jones
Half-time! Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:48 , Mike Jones45+2 mins: An entertaing half of football comes to an end with neither team ahead. There have been good moments at both ends of the pitch but we need a goal to liven things up again.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:46 , Mike Jones43 mins: Disallowed!
An aerial ball comes up the pitch towards Jeremie Frimpong on the right. He challenges Kostas Tsimikas and comes away with the ball.
Frimpong drives into the box and fizzes a shot past Caoimhin Kelleher and finds the back of the net.
The flag then goes up and replays show Frimpong handled the ball while tussling with Tsimikas.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:44 , Mike Jones42 mins: Salah sprints down the right flank after Alexander-Arnold sets him free with a quick pass. He darts inside, rolls the ball onto his left foot then shoots but hits the goalkeeper.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:40 , Mike Jones39 mins: Florian Wirtz and Kostas Tsimikas come together as they attempt to both win a long ball. Tsimikas is semi-successful but his efforts only send the ball out of play for a throw in.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:37 , Mike Jones36 mins: Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold stand over the ball and debate who should take the set piece. Alexander-Arnold looks to curl a shot into the near top corner but a deflection off the wall takes it behind for a corner.
Kostas Tsimikas whips the corner into the box but picks out Lukas Hradecky.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:35 , Mike Jones33 mins: The came has just settled into a steady to-and-fro rhythm. A goal kick from Lukas Hradecky is won in the air by Virgil van Dijk.
He nods the ball up to Mo Salah who flicks it on for Luis Diaz. Diaz is brought down and Liverpool have a penalty in a danergous area.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:31 , Mike Jones30 mins: Half an hour played and nothing to separate the teams. Liverpool have had their moments but Leverkusen are well drilled and solid in defence.
The core back three haven’t made it easy for the hosts in this half.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:27 , Mike Jones27 mins: There’s a tussle between Mo Salah and Aleix Garcia over on the right wing. Salah looks to bring down an aerial ball and spins around the back of Garcia who drags him down.
Garica goes in the book and Liverpool win a free kick.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:24 , Mike Jones24 mins: Jeremie Frimpong catches a little clip from Van Dijk as he enters the Liverpool box. He takes another couple of steps then falls over hoping for a penalty.
The referee says no as does the VAR.
Leverkusen are upping their threat levels though.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:21 , Mike Jones21 mins: At the other end of the pitch Granit Xhaka takes the first shot for Leverkusen. It’s a rather hopeful one from outside the penalty area which strikes Van Dijk on the head.
The defender manages to ge the ball clear then rubs his face with a grimace of agony.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:18 , Mike Jones18 mins: Arne Slot will be pleased with this start. Virgil van Dijk floats a pass over to Mo Salah. Liverpool throw men over to the right side of the box and the effort comes from Salah setting up Diaz.
Diaz shoots but can’t beat the closest defender.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:16 , Mike Jones15 mins: Chance!
A lovely flick down the left wing from Kostas Tsimikas sends Luis Diaz on his way up the pitch. He darts inside and rolls a pass into the box for Mo Salah.
Salah thinks about a shot but sets up Curtis Jones instead. Jones runs onto the ball and drills his effort at goal but watches it land safely in the arms of Lukas Hradecky.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:13 , Mike Jones12 mins: Leverkusen have settled slightly after Liverpool’s strong start. They’re seeing more of the ball and forcing the Reds into deeper areas to defend.
Liverpool are quick on that counter attack though so the visitors need to remain wary.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:11 , Mike Jones9 mins: Leverkusen use their width for the first time in attack with Frimpong getting wide on the right wing. He whips a cross into the middle of the box but Ibrahima Konate is there to nod the ball away.
He stays down after his clearance and seemingly took a painful hit to the face. He’s okay though.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:08 , Mike Jones7 mins: Nearly!
Another turn over and Liverpool’s front three fly forward. Mo Salah brings the ball then nestles it across to Luis Diaz. He takes it up to the box then releases a pass to Cody Gakpo.
Gakpo shoots with an effort across goal only for the ball to get deflected by Jeremie Frimpong.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:06 , Mike Jones6 mins: Liverpool have been strong over these opening minutes at winning the ball back in the middle of the pitch.
They work it quickly over to Gakpo again and he comes inside this time, dummies out of a first challenge then shoots and hits the next defender who blocks the effort on the edge of the box.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:03 , Mike Jones3 mins: Nice!
Cody Gakpo has set up on the left side for Liverpool and is fed into a bit of space. He drives up to the box and squares a pass towards Luis Diaz in the centre.
Alejandro Grimaldo cuts into the box from his position as left wingback and hooks the ball clear.
Kick off! Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
20:01 , Mike JonesLeverkusen kick off the match and send the ball over to the left side of the pitch. A forward pass is too heavy and skips safely through to Caoimhin Kelleher.
Liverpool vs Leverkusen
19:55 , Mike JonesHere come the teams.
The players make their way out onto the pitch at Anfield. Virgil van Dijk leads out the Reds with a determined look on his face. He knows this will be a battle but one that Liverpool can win.
Kick off is up next...
Alonso’s return
19:50 , Mike JonesXabi Alonso played 210 times during a five-year spell at Liverpool from 2004 to 2009. He scored 19 goals for the club, including one in the 2005 Champions League final win against AC Milan.
This is Alonso’s first time back at Anfield for a competitive fixture. His Leverkusen side have not lost in their last 32 matches as the away team, winning 24 and drawing eight.
Unbeaten champions
19:45 , Mike JonesBayer Leverkusen have totalled seven points in their first three matches of the league phase, with wins over Feyenoord and AC Milan followed by a draw with Brest.
Last season, Leverkusen won the Bundesliga title for the first time in their history and in doing so became the first team ever to go through the league campaign unbeaten.
Fortress Anfield
19:40 , Mike JonesLiverpool have scored 32 goals in their last 12 European games at Anfield, with only Atalanta – who kept a clean sheet – preventing them from scoring at least twice.
Szoboszlai vs Leverkusen
19:35 , Mike JonesDominik Szoboszlai scored a winning goal for RB Leipzig against Leverkusen in an April 2022 Bundesliga clash.
Salah vs Leverkusen
19:30 , Mike JonesMo 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?
Salah nearing half-century
19:25 , Mike JonesMohamed 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.
Mohamed Salah shows his evolution to keep Liverpool on title track
19:20 , Mike JonesAt 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.
Mohamed Salah shows his evolution to keep Liverpool on title track
Four in a row?
19:15 , Mike JonesA victory in this tie would see Liverpool win each of their opening four matches of a European campaign for only the sixth time.
The Reds’ recent record
19:10 , Mike JonesLiverpool 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.
Liverpool vs German opponents
19:05 , Mike JonesLiverpool have yet to lose to a German side at Anfield in Europe. That record includes 20 games, 16 wins and four draws, with 14 clean sheets.
Liverpool vs Leverkusen
19:00 , Mike JonesLiverpool have won three of the four previous meetings between the teams in European competition, including both Anfield encounters.
Leverkusen line-up
18:48 , Mike JonesBayer Leverkusen XI: Hradecky; Frimpong, Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie, Grimaldo; Palacios, Xhaka; Wirtz, Boniface, Garcia
Liverpool line-up
18:46 , Mike JonesLiverpool XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Jones, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
The Reds to take on Bayer Leverkusen ✊🔴 #UCL
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 5, 2024
Slot on Salah and Van Dijk’s contracts
18:40 , Mike JonesMo Salah and Virgil van Dijk are out of contract at the end of the season and are currently negotiating renewals. Arne Slot was asked whether the players were thinking about leaving and if he had spoken to them about their future.
He replied: “I haven’t spoken about him [Salah], we’ve spoken about Leverkusen because that team deserves all of our attention for the quality they have. So, no.
“He is out of contract in the end of the season and Virgil [van Dijk] said something in the press and now he [Salah] has a post that you interpreted in a certain way.
“This will probably continue for as long as their futures are not clear yet. But in the meantime, let’s hope that they bring in performances like Mo had and Virgil had as well during the weekend.”
Kelleher on Alonso
18:35 , Mike JonesLiverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher said: "I think the fans will give him a great reception, but the focus is on getting a result and making sure he doesn’t go home happy."
Arne Slot vs Xabi Alonso is a lesson for the new wave of superstar coaches
18:30 , Mike JonesAround the turn of the year, when five of the major European clubs were looking for new managerial candidates, one official involved in elite-level recruitment let out a sigh. “There is nothing in football as difficult as choosing a coach,” came the complaint.
The frustration was from the fact that there are so many variables, especially when a manager moves from one financial tier to another. They might have the right style but not the right personality. They might fit the tactics but not the culture.
Although clubs are trying to add some science to this, feeding details through algorithms, there’s still a huge element of human trial and error. You can’t always account for how a manager’s approach translates to a different dressing room.
Arne Slot vs Xabi Alonso is a lesson for the new wave of superstar coaches
Leverkusen are a dangerous team
18:25 , Mike JonesXabi Alonso led Bayer Leverkusen to one of the all-time great seasons in 2023/24 with the German club only losing one game in all competitions.
They won their first Bundesliga title, ending Bayern Munich’s 11-year dominance of the league, as part of the German double which saw them collect the German Cup as well.
That lone defeat came against Atalanta in the Europa League final which denied Alonso and his team a well deserved treble.
Though they have not hit those same heights this season they are unbeaten in 11 games and will be confident of earning three points against a Liverpool side still in the early stages of Arne Slot’s tenure.
Kelleher on ‘special moment’ playing at Anfield
18:20 , Mike JonesCaoimhin Kelleher is excited for his ‘special moment’ when he steps out onto the pitch to take part in a big European night at Anfield.
Liverpool’s goalkeeper said: “I’ve experienced quite a few European nights at Anfield, not playing, but it’s always electric.
“It will be a special moment and one I’m looking forward to, for sure. The Champions League is the Champions League: it’s one of the biggest competitions.
“We have a good history in the competition, so the motivation is there.”
Kelleher ‘quite likes’ new format
18:15 , Mike JonesCaoimhin Kelleher took the pre-match press conference alongside Arne Slot and admitted to liking the new Champions League format especially as it means playing against more teams from the continent.
He said: “It’s a bit different. I personally quite like it, playing different teams on each occasion is kind of cool. You’re going away to different stadiums too, which is nice. It’s cool to play more teams.”
Slot on the new Champions League format
18:10 , Mike JonesThe Liverpool boss also gave his thoughts on the new Champions League format and explained a few of the positives. He said: “When you play now, every tie is a new opponent.
“You can be lucky or unlucky and then it has to do with which teams you face at home or away. What I love is every evening I can switch to a game that is really a nice one to watch.”
Pre-match thoughts from Arne Slot
18:05 , Mike JonesLiverpool manager Arne Slot spoke ahead of tonight’s match and laid out what he is expecting from the game. He said: “It is a big European game which is almost always the situation when you play the Champions League.
“Mainly also for what Xabi Alonso did for this club, especially in Europe as well. Domestically and in Europe last season, they were incredible.
“I think this season they are just as good but a bit more unlucky when it comes to results. It’s a big game to look forward to for people who love the game.”
Jurgen Klopp defends decision to take ‘outstanding’ new role with Red Bull after criticism
18:00 , Mike JonesFormer Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp defended his decision to join Red Bull as global head of soccer from next year following criticism from fans in Germany, saying the project was “outstanding” for him.
Klopp, who ended a successful nine-year stint at Liverpool last season, also coached Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, with many of those clubs’ fans angered by his decision to join Red Bull.
Fans in Mainz during a league game earlier in October even unfurled banners venting their anger over Klopp‘s decision. Klopp had spent 18 years as a Mainz player and then coach.
Jurgen Klopp defends decision to take new role with Red Bull after criticism
Konate ‘will be ready'
17:55 , Mike JonesLiverpool have been given a big boost as centre-back Ibrahima Konate confirmed his arm injury will not force him to miss any games for the club.
The 25-year-old posted a positive update on his instagram following a medical assessment after the game.
He wrote: “Thanks for all the messages of support. My injury isn’t serious thankfully. I had a scan today and it confirmed there is no break. I’ll be ready for the next game.”
Will Alonso enjoy his Liverpool return?
17:50 , Mike Jones“We will see, I will tell you after the game how I feel. There will be a moment for everything, but the main thing is not me,” Xabi Alonso replied when asked by the media if he was looking forward to his Anfield return.
He added: “It’s the players, how we deal with the emotions you have in this stadium, they are in a good moment. Maybe I will take a little walk or a run, but there is no time for tourism.
“I know the city very well, I loved it, but I will focus on the game and only the game.”
Alonso on facign Liverpool
17:45 , Mike Jones“For us it is a big challenge to come here. Liverpool at the moment is one of the best if not the best in Europe, they are showing that in a very strong Premier League and the Champions League.
“It’s a good squad, good coach. At Anfield, it’s a big challenge. We’re looking forward to it, let’s see what happens.”
Xabi Alonso explains decision to turn down Liverpool ahead of Anfield return
17:40 , Mike JonesFormer Liverpool great Xabi Alonso dodged questions about taking over at Anfield and insisted he does not return to the city as a tourist.
Alonso was hot favourite for the Liverpool job when Jurgen Klopp announced in January he was leaving, but quickly ruled himself out of the running before guiding Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title.
Asked whether it was ever a serious consideration, the Spaniard, who won the 2005 Champions League during a five-year spell at Anfield, said: “At that time I was focused, I had a big thing with the players and we were really focused on that.”
Xabi Alonso explains decision to turn down Liverpool ahead of Anfield return
Liverpool vs Leverkusen prediction
17:35 , Mike JonesA hard-fought game but a high-quality one, with the home advantage for the Reds proving enough to edge them to three points.
Liverpool 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen.
Predicted line-ups
17:30 , Mike JonesHere’s how we see the two teams linig up this evening. Arne Slot should get pretty strong and hope to get his team closer to the next round but with Liverpool also fighting for the Premier League title it would not be surprising if changes were made.
Liverpool XI: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister, Salah, Nunez, Diaz
Leverkusen XI: Hradecky, Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie, Frimpong, Xhaka, Garcia, Grimaldo, Wirtz, Terrier, Boniface
Bayer Leverkusen’s early team news
17:25 , Mike JonesLeverkusen are missing Amine Adli and Jeanuel Belocian but Martin Terrier should be fit. Nordi Mukiele needs a fitness test ahead of the game.
Ibrahima Konate plays down injury and ‘will be ready’ for Liverpool’s next match
17:20 , Mike JonesLiverpool have been given a big boost as centre-back Ibrahima Konate confirmed his arm injury will not force him to miss any games for the club.
The defender sustained a knock in this weekend’s 2-1 victory Premier League over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday and was replaced at half-time by Joe Gomez.
There were worries that Konate had done serious damage to his arm which would have put him on the sidelines for a number of weeks.
Ibrahima Konate plays down injury and ‘will be ready’ for Liverpool’s next match
Liverpool’s early team news
17:15 , Mike JonesLiverpool remain without long-term absentees Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota and Harvey Elliott.
Federico Chiesa isn’t expected to feature until after the international break and Ibrahima Konate may not be risked after injuring his hand at the weekend, though he has said he shouldn’t miss any matches because of it.
Where can I watch it?
17:10 , Mike JonesThe match will be shown live on Amazon Prime Video. Subscribers can stream the game on the Prime Video app across any device or compatible smart TV.
If you’re not an Amazon Prime Video subscriber start a free 30-day trial here.
If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
When is the match?
17:05 , Mike JonesLiverpool v Leverkusen kicks off at 8pm GMT on Tuesday 5 November.
Liverpool vs Leverkusen
17:00 , Mike JonesXabi Alonso heads to his former club in midweek as Bayer Leverkusen travel to Merseyside to face Liverpool in the Champions League.
Last season the German Bundesliga side swept almost all before them as they sealed a domestic double, falling short only in the Europa League final. They’ve not been quite as relentless this term so far, winning four of their nine games and sitting fourth in the table, but they have taken seven points from three games in Europe and will present formidable opposition for the Reds.
Under Arne Slot, though, it has been a near-perfect first campaign for the Anfield club. A turnaround win over Brighton at the weekend put the Reds top of the Premier League with eight wins from ten - and they have a 100 per cent record in Europe too after beating AC Milan, Bologna and RB Leipzig already.
Triumph over Leverkusen now and their Champions League-winning former midfield playmaker Alonso, and Slot’s side will be all but through already to the knockout stages in the new year.
Good evening!
14:51 , Mike JonesWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Champions League action as Liverpool play host to Bayer Leverkusen.
Xabi Alonso makes his return to Anfield after rumours linked him to the managerial position following Jurgen Klopp’s departure but the Spaniard decided to remain at with Leverkusen having led them to a Bundesliga title.
The German side come up against Arne Slot’s Reds tonight. Liverpool have not lost in the Champions League this term and sit second behind Aston Villa in the table.
Tonight’s contest should be a good one and we’ll have all the team news, line-ups and more throughout the evening so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 8pm.
