Xabi Alonso makes his return to Anfield tonight as his Bayer Leverkusen team take on Liverpool in the Champions League.
The former Reds midfielder, who was heavily linked with replacing Jurgen Klopp before Liverpool opted instead for Arne Slot, has already said he is not interested in being a “tourist” and knows his side have a tough task on their hands.
Liverpool have made the perfect start with wins from each of their first three Champions League games, against Milan, Bologna and RB Leipzig.
German champions Leverkusen have also looked strong. They won their first two games, against Feyenoord and Milan, before a 1-1 draw in Brest last time out.
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Liverpool Team News
Darwin Nunez misses out as Slot recalls Luis Diaz. The Colombia international will likely be deployed on the left of a three with Mohamed Salah on the right and Cody Gakpo down the middle.
The other change sees Curtis Jones come in for Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield.
Ibrahima Konate, who came off at half-time in the 2-1 win over Brighton at the weekend, was passed fit and starts alongside Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Tsimikas, Jones, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
The Reds to take on Bayer Leverkusen ✊🔴 #UCL
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 5, 2024
Leverkusen Team News
Alonso also makes two changes from the side that drew 0-0 with Stuttgart on Friday night with Aleix Garcia and Exequiel Palacios coming into the starting XI.
Former Arsenal midfielder Grant Xhaka starts in midfield.
Leverkusen: Hradecky, Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie, Frimpong, Palacios, Xhaka, Grimaldo, Wirtz, Garcia, Boniface
1️⃣1️⃣ – Unsere erste Elf heute! Let’s go!
🔜 #LIVB04 | #UCL | #Bayer04 pic.twitter.com/A6ZhAguvQq
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04fussball) November 5, 2024
