Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen

Liverpool’s faultless UEFA Champions League campaign faces a formidable challenge as Bayer Leverkusen touch down at Anfield this week.

Arne Slot made Liverpool history last weekend as his side overturned a halftime deficit to beat Brighton 2-1 at Anfield, becoming the first Reds manager to win eight of their first ten top-flight games in charge (D1, L1). Back to the top of the Premier League standings, Liverpool return to Europe, where they’ve won all three matches this season, including a narrow 1-0 triumph at Leverkusen’s domestic rivals RB Leipzig in round three. Virtually unplayable under Jurgen Klopp’s successor, the Merseyside giants have registered 13 wins in 15 competitive outings this season (D1, L1). That should set them up nicely for this mouth-watering contest as they bid to strengthen their decent-looking 16-game form in Champions League home fixtures (D2, L3). Adding to Liverpool’s confidence, they’re unbeaten in their last 13 encounters against Bundesliga clubs (W10, D3).

In the meantime, Bayer Leverkusen’s stuttering Bundesliga title defense suffered another setback last weekend as Stuttgart held them to a 0-0 draw at the BayArena, resulting in Xabi Alonso’s side falling seven points behind early pacesetters Bayern Munich. The visitors have become synonymous with stalemates, sharing the spoils in five of their last eight outings across all competitions (W3), including a frustrating 1-1 draw at Champions League debutants Brest on matchday three. However, they’ve yet to lose a European game this season (W2, D1), while they boast an inspiring four-game unbeaten streak against English opponents (W2, D2). Furthermore, the reigning German champions have only lost once on their last 13 European road trips (W8, D4).