Afrigather Verdict: Each groups to attain
Finest odds: 8/15
Bookmaker: 888sport
Xabi Alonso’s much-anticipated return to Liverpool is about for Tuesday night, as his Bayer Leverkusen squad travels to Anfield for an thrilling Champions League assembly.
The Reds have received all three of their video games within the early levels of the 2024-25 competitors, however within the present format, their sixth-placed German opponents might overtake them within the 36-team standings with a victory on Merseyside.
Liverpool
Simply minutes after Jurgen Klopp’s stunning resignation announcement in January, Liverpool followers have been eagerly welcoming former midfield star Alonso to take over at Anfield, just for the Leverkusen supervisor to show down affords from not one however three of his former golf equipment to stay with the Bundesliga’s undefeated staff.
Whereas Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Actual Madrid accepted Alonso’s alternative, Liverpool’s board provided a profitable deal to Arne Slot, whose begin on Merseyside has surpassed expectations.
AC Milan, Bologna, and RB Leipzig have all fallen to Liverpool’s dominance within the opening section of the 2024/25 Champions League; Darwin Nunez’s aim secured a 1-0 win over Leipzig in October, inserting Liverpool simply behind Aston Villa within the standings on mere goal-difference.
Nevertheless, Liverpool practically faltered of their Premier League match in opposition to Brighton and Hove Albion, producing what may very well be their worst first half underneath Slot. A second-half surge noticed Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah overturn Ferdi Kadioglu’s aim for a difficult however ultimately satisfying 2-1 victory.
With each Manchester Metropolis and Arsenal dropping factors away from house in gameweek 10, Liverpool now lead the Premier League title race, two factors forward of the reigning champions after Slot’s tenth win in 11 league video games.
Slot continues to interrupt data, with 5 straight house wins and at the least two objectives every time. Liverpool might now obtain 4 consecutive wins to open a Champions League season for less than the second time, the final being in 2021/22 once they reached the ultimate.
Group Information
Having injured his arm within the closing seconds of the woeful first half in opposition to Brighton, Ibrahima Konate was changed by Joe Gomez. Konate has since confirmed he can be prepared for the following sport, however on condition that Gomez carried out admirably within the second half, Slot isn’t prone to take any dangers with the France worldwide.
Alisson Becker, Diogo Jota and Harvey Elliott stay out of competition till after the worldwide break this month, which implies Caoimhin Kelleher and Darwin Nunez will proceed to play in aim and up entrance, respectively.
Kostas Tsimikas has displaced out-of-form Andy Robertson from the beginning XI in the previous few video games, however Slot received’t need the Greek left-back overworked and he might give Robertson one other probability on Tuesday.
Bayer Leverkusen
Matching the near-mythical achievements of 2023/24 was all the time a frightening activity for Alonso’s Leverkusen, who got here inside attain of a historic treble earlier than falling to an Ademola Lookman masterclass within the Europa League closing.
This season, nevertheless, the Bundesliga Invincibles are solidly on observe in Europe’s prime competitors, having earned seven factors from their first 9 because of wins over Feyenoord and AC Milan, although they have been held to a disappointing draw by Ligue 1’s Brest on matchday three.
Die Werkself have developed a sample of attracts, their newest being a scoreless Bundesliga encounter with Stuttgart on Friday, leaving them seven factors adrift of resurgent leaders Bayern Munich.
Nonetheless, that draw prolonged Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak in all competitions to 11 video games, and Alonso’s staff stays undefeated on the highway this season, profitable their first 4 away matches and drawing the final three.
Tuesday’s thrilling conflict will mark the primary Liverpool-Leverkusen assembly for the reason that 2004/05 Champions League, when the Reds secured two 3-1 wins within the final 16 on their technique to a historic overcome AC Milan within the closing, although Alonso missed each legs in opposition to what would turn into his future membership as a consequence of a damaged ankle. He did, nevertheless, rating in that epic closing.
Group Information
Leverkusen wing-back Nordi Mukiele injured his thigh within the draw with Stuttgart and is anticipated to be sidelined till after the worldwide break.
Mukiele joins Amine Adli (damaged leg) and Jeanuel Belocian (foot) on the damage listing, whereas Martin Terrier additionally missed Friday’s Bundesliga match, although Alonso hopes he’ll be match for the Anfield journey.
If Terrier returns, Jeremie Frimpong might shift to cowl Mukiele on the correct, whereas attacking mainstay Florian Wirtz goals to turn into the third participant aged 21 or youthful – following Erling Haaland and Manor Solomon – to attain in his first three away Champions League video games.
Conclusion
Liverpool could also be driving a golden wave of outcomes underneath Slot, however none of their wins since early October have been significantly dominant, and indicators of fatigue have been evident in opposition to Brighton within the first half.
Given this, a Leverkusen facet identified for drawing video games in 2024/25 might deliver an finish to Liverpool’s excellent Champions League run, even when Alonso’s squad isn’t fairly the unstoppable power it as soon as was. Nevertheless, underestimating Liverpool on a European night time at Anfield is all the time an enormous threat.
Verdict: Each groups to attain
Finest odds: 8/15
Bookmaker: 888sport
