Champions LeagueThe opposition lowdown: Bayer Leverkusen

Here's what to expect from the Bundesliga champions…

Recent form

Undefeated in Germany throughout 2023-24, Leverkusen have accumulated 16 points in the division so far this term, with four wins, four draws and one defeat sitting them fourth in the table.

Last time out, they were held to a goalless stalemate at home to Stuttgart on Friday night.

In the Champions League, meanwhile, Alonso's side have gained two wins – 4-0 at Feyenoord and 1-0 at home to AC Milan – and most recently drew 1-1 with Brest.

Their leading scorer in all competitions so far this term is Victor Boniface with eight strikes, while Florian Wirtz has seven (including three in the Champions League).

Opposition view

Tobias Nordmann, sports journalist at n-tv

On Leverkusen's season so far…

The season for Bayer Leverkusen is rather mixed. The squad became stronger and, above all, broader in the summer. No top player has left the club. Fourth place in the table doesn't look bad, but the mood in the club is not the best as they are seven points behind the biggest rival, Bayern Munich.

On their Champions League campaign…

The step from the Europa League to the Champions League was basically a success. There was a top performance against Feyenoord and it was also a good performance against AC Milan. The draw against Brest was rather surprising, but it fits with the mood that the games are no longer being turned around with all their might. Last season, Bayer kept the pressure on for 90 minutes and forced late wins across all competitions, often five, six, seven minutes into stoppage time. That was a remarkable quality.

On Alonso and his tactics…

Bayer Leverkusen are still in love with Xabi Alonso. They are more than happy that they still have him. They just know that he is a top coach. I don't think there are any major tactical changes this season. Alonso was already very flexible last season, relying on speed and possession of the ball. He's currently trying out a lot to get the team's stability back.

But I think the team's problems are explainable and not tactical. If you play above the limit for a season and the only game you lose is the final of the Europa League and then many top stars play at the European Championship (Wirtz, Jonathan Tah, Robert Andrich, Granit Xhaka, Jeremie Frimpong) in the summer, then your mental battery is simply empty. You can't play above your limit for years. I think that also explains the many goals conceded. This has something to do with freshness in the mind – not all players have them at the moment.

On their key players…

Liverpool definitely have to watch out for Wirtz – he is the X factor. He takes the team to another level. Plus Xhaka, the absolute boss in midfield. When he is in the game, it always becomes very difficult for the opponents. Boniface is an outstanding striker and Frimpong is incredibly fast. This is almost impossible to defend in counter-pressing and raiding attacks. And Alejandro Grimaldo is an outstanding technician and shoots brilliant set-pieces. Tah is the boss at the back.

Predicted line-up…

Hradecky, Hincapie, Tah, Tapsoba, Frimpong, Xhaka, Andrich, Grimaldo, Wirtz, Boniface, Terrier.

Previous meetings

This is the clubs' first competitive meeting since 2005.

On the way to lifting the Champions League, Rafael Benitez's Liverpool overcame Leverkusen 6-2 on aggregate in the Round of 16, with both legs finishing 3-1.

Before that, in April 2002, Bayer prevailed 4-3 on aggregate when the teams clashed at the quarter-final stage of the competition.

What they said

Alonso, Leverkusen head coach

"There will be a moment for everything. But the main thing is not me, the main thing is the players, how they can deal with the emotions you have here in this stadium. We have a good moment, for us this challenge to play against one of the best in Europe and to come to Anfield is a great challenge, and this desire to show our best football – it's going to be a great energy and let's see."

Pre-match stats

• Leverkusen are unbeaten away from home this season in all competitions – they have played seven times on the road, winning four and drawing three.
• They have not lost in their last 32 matches as the away team (24 victories and eight draws).
• Home and away, Leverkusen have won five of their previous 23 encounters with English sides, drawing six and losing 12 – including both past visits to Anfield.
• Alonso won the Champions League twice as a player, with Liverpool in 2005 and while at Real Madrid nine years later.