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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:
Liverpool 2-0 Leverkusen
73 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?
Mike Jones5 November 2024 21:33
Liverpool 2-0 Leverkusen
70 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.
Mike Jones5 November 2024 21:32
Liverpool 2-0 Leverkusen
66 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.
Mike Jones5 November 2024 21:26
GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Leverkusen (Cody Gakpo, 63 mins)
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.
Mike Jones5 November 2024 21:25
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Leverkusen (Luis Diaz, 61 mins)
There’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.
Mike Jones5 November 2024 21:21
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
60 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.
Mike Jones5 November 2024 21:20
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
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.
Mike Jones5 November 2024 21:17
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
54 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.
Mike Jones5 November 2024 21:14
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
51 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.
Mike Jones5 November 2024 21:10
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
48 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.
Mike Jones5 November 2024 21:08