December 22, 2024
After claiming the top spot in the Premier League, Liverpool now sets their sights on leading the pack in the UEFA Champions League, as they face Bayer Leverkusen in their fourth clash of the competition later today.
With a victory over Brighton and losses for both Arsenal and Man City, the Reds find themselves two points clear at the top after 10 matches. Arne Slot’s squad stands out as the only team left with a spotless Champions League record, save for fellow English rivals Aston Villa.
Other notable absentees include Alisson Becker (hamstring), Harvey Elliott (broken foot), Diogo Jota (rib injury), and Federico Chiesa (muscle strain).
Liverpool’s projected starting lineup in a 4-2-3-1 formation features Kelleher as goalkeeper, with Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, and Robertson in defense. Mac Allister and Gravenberch are set for midfield, while Salah, Jones, and Diaz will support striker Nunez.
For Leverkusen, several players will be missing, with injuries sidelining Amine Adli (broken leg), Jeanuel Belocian (foot injury), and Nordi Mukiele (hip injury) for nearly the entire season.
However, there’s some good news, as Martin Terrier’s injury is not as severe, and he may be available for this Liverpool clash. Leverkusen’s anticipated lineup in a 3-4-2-1 formation has Hradecky in goal, supported by Tapsoba, Tah, and Hincapie in defense. Frimpong, Xhaka, Garcia, and Grimaldo will be in midfield, while Terrier and Wirtz play behind lone striker Boniface.
Liverpool, while successful under Slot, has shown signs of fatigue recently, especially in the first half against Brighton. This might give a resilient Leverkusen team a chance to challenge Liverpool’s unbeaten Champions League record.
While Alonso’s team may not be as dominant as in past seasons, they are still a strong opponent for the Reds.
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