Liverpool host German Champions Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Tuesday evening 20:00 in the UEFA Champions League. Familiar face Xabi Alonso, heavily touted as Jurgen Klopps replacement last summer, will make his first appearance as a manager at Anfield.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen have met with Liverpool at Anfield on two separate occasions in the Champions League. Once in the 2002 Quarter-Finals, Liverpool won 1-0 after a header from Sami Hypia. However, Die Werkself won the return leg securing progression. The second time was in 2005 on the road to Istanbul, Liverpool won 3-1 with goals from Luis Garcia, John Arne Riise and Dietmar Hamann, winning the return leg by the same scoreline.

Alonso’s current crop of talent went invincible last season ending Bayern Munich’s 11 year reign as champions. They went on to win the domestic double however, fell short of the treble to Atalanta BC in the Europa League Final. Currently sitting 4th in the Bundesliga with 4 wins, 4 draws and 1 loss, it hasn’t been an ideal start to the campaign for Xabi Alonso’s side. Leverkusen’s most recent result was 0-0 draw to Stuttgart on Friday night.

In the Champions League Leverkusen sit 6th, and unbeaten, with wins against AC Milan and Arne Slot’s former Feyenoord. Last time out in Europe, they dropped 2 points away to Stade Brest in a 1-1 draw away from home. Die Schwarzroten have scored an equal amount of goals in the competition as Liverpool, 6.

However, our opposition shouldn’t be underestimated, Leverkusen are unbeaten since the 31st of August when they lost 3-2 to Liverpools opponents in the last round, RB Leipzig.

Florian Wirtz and Victor Boniface are the talismen for Leverkusen with a combined 15 goals in all competitions. Wirtz has 3 Champions League goals so far.

Alonso’s side have some injuries to contend with, highly rated Nordi Mukiele will miss-out with a muscle injury. Amine Ali ,who’s appereared in every Champions League game so far, is out until at least January with a fractured fibula. Youngster Jeanuël Belocian will be the final absentee, recovering from a minor ankle surgery.

Martin Terrier has been out injured with a mystery knock, he’s been seen in first team training and looks to return at Anfield.

Arne Slot didn’t hint at any returns to the side. Diogo Jota, Alisson Becker and Federico Chiesa were all previously ruled out until after the November international break. Harvey Elliott is yet to return to first team training.

Ibou Konate sustained a hand injury that seen him subbed off against Brighton. However, the frenchman declared on his instagram that it was not serious and would be in contention to start this evening. Him and Alexis MacAllister are one booking away from suspension in the Champions League.

Champions League nights at Anfield forever unpredictable and electrifying! Let’s hope for another timeless classic this evening.

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