UEFA Champions League Betting Preview: Bayer Leverkusen vs Liverpool – Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Xabi Alonso returns to Anfield on Tuesday night, but this time as the head coach of Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, as his side faces Liverpool in a highly anticipated Champions League showdown.
Arne Slot’s side have enjoyed a flawless start to their 2024-25 European campaign, winning all three of their “group stage” matches. However, their sixth-placed German visitors have a chance to leapfrog them in the standings with a victory on Merseyside.
Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen last met in the 2004-05 Champions League round of 16, with Liverpool claiming two 3-1 victories en route to lifting the trophy. Xabi Alonso himself missed both matches due to injury.
Liverpool Betting Preview (-143 at EveryGame)
When Jurgen Klopp announced his resignation in January, Liverpool fans quickly touted Xabi Alonso as a potential successor. Despite overtures from Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid, Alonso chose to stay with Leverkusen, earning them the moniker “Bundesliga Invincibles.”
In the end, Liverpool turned to Arne Slot, whose tenure has exceeded expectations. Under his leadership, Liverpool have defeated AC Milan, Bologna, and RB Leipzig in the Champions League. Darwin Nunez’s lone goal against the Red Bulls last time out secured a narrow 1-0 victory in October, placing the Reds just behind Aston Villa in the overall standings as the only two sides that boast a 100% win record.
However, their Premier League form saw a slight wobble in Saturday’s hard-fought 2-1 win over Brighton. Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah scored to overturn Ferdi Kadioglu’s opener, as Liverpool took advantage of slip-ups by Manchester City and Arsenal to seize the top spot in the league.
The Reds have now won 10 of their last 11 matches, with five consecutive home victories, each featuring at least two goals. Another win on Tuesday would see Liverpool replicate their 2021-22 feat of starting a Champions League campaign with four straight victories.
Liverpool’s defensive concerns were heightened when Ibrahima Konate left the field injured against Brighton, but the Frenchman is expected to be fit for Tuesday. However, first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker as well as Harvey Elliott, Diogo Jota and summer signing Federico Chiesa all remain sidelined.
Despite Konate’s availability, Arne Slot could be reluctant to risk his French stewart and Joe Gomez, who impressed against Brighton, could get more first-team minutes.
Mohamed Salah, fresh from surpassing Robbie Fowler in the Premier League’s all-time scoring charts, aims to become the first player since Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2003 to score in six consecutive Champions League home games for an English club.
Bayer Leverkusen Betting Preview (+360 at EveryGame)
Alonso’s Leverkusen, who narrowly missed out on a historic treble last season, have started well in this year’s Champions League. Victories over Feyenoord and AC Milan, coupled with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Brest, leave them with seven points from nine.
Despite their recent struggles to secure victories—highlighted by a 0-0 draw with Stuttgart last Friday—Bayer Leverkusen are unbeaten in their last 11 matches across all competitions (6-5-0) – since a 3-2 home loss to RB Leipzig on August 31. Their form on the road has been particularly impressive, with four wins followed by three consecutive draws.
Bayer Leverkusen have injury concerns of their own. Nordi Mukiele joins Amine Adli and Jeanuel Belocian on the sidelines, while Martin Terrier is a major doubt. Jonas Hofmann is expected to step into an attacking role, with Jeremie Frimpong covering for Mukiele at right-back.
Nigerian forward Victor Boniface, who scored the winner in Leverkusen’s 1-0 home win over AC Milan last month, is set to lead the line.
Meanwhile, Florian Wirtz – a rising star – could become the third player aged 21 or younger to score in each of his first three Champions League away matches, following in the footsteps of Erling Haaland and Manor Solomon.
Possible Starting Lineups of Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen
Liverpool: Caoimhin Kelleher – Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson – Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister – Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Luis Diaz – Darwin Nunez. (4-2-3-1)
Bayer Leverkusen: Lukas Hradecky – Edmond Tapsoba, Jonathan Tah, Piero Hincapie – Jeremie Frimpong, Granit Xhaka, Robert Andrich, Alex Grimaldo – Jonas Hofmann, Floarian Wirtz – Victor Boniface. (3-4-2-1)
Spooky Express Betting Prediction
Once the Champions League draw was confirmed, one of the highlights of the new League Phase was the clash between Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen.
While Liverpool continues their impressive run under Arne Slot, their recent victories have been hard-fought rather than dominant. Fatigue may be creeping in, as suggested by their lackluster first half against Brighton.
Leverkusen’s knack for grinding out draws this season could serve them well, but could Xabi Alonso’s tactical acumen be enough to end Liverpool’s perfect Champions League start, especially if his side isn’t the unstoppable force of last season?
Well, it won’t be an easy game for sure, but we expect Liverpool to capitalize on their home advantage in what promises to be a thrilling clash.