New Delhi: Liverpool will host Leverkusen in Anfield for the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 for matchday four. The match has already created a lot of hype around it as Xabi Alonso returns to Liverpool having played four years with the Merseyside team. During the summer, Alonso was offered to lead Liverpool as their manager after Jurgen Klopp resigned from the side.
However, his decision to reject the offer eventually led to Arne Slot’s taking over the helm of the Reds. Now, the two will face Europe’s biggest club competition. Liverpool come to the game with three wins in the Champions League and topping the Premier League table while Alonso’s team are placed sixth in the competition. Here are some of the key battles that could decide the fate of the game.
Mohamed Salah vs Alejandro Grimaldo
Mohamed Salah (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Mohamed Salah has been playing on an entirely different rhythm this season. Across competition, he scored nine goals and made seven assists. His goal assistance in the Champions League has made Liverpool the joint most successful team this season. Coming on high confidence in the draw, he will be highly challenged by Alejandro Grimaldo.
With Leverkusen’s attack lacking the flair in the season, a lot of the pressure comes down on Grimaldo. His partnership along with Jeremie Fringpong had produced 26 goals across competition between them and catapulted the side to an unbeaten Bundesliga win. This season, the duo have only made three goals across competition and that has affected Leverkusen’s performance in both domestic and European League.
Alexis Mac Allister vs Granit Xhaka
Granit Xhaka of Bayer 04 Leverkusen (Photo by Jörg Schüler/Bayer 04 Leverkusen via Getty Images)
Alexis Mac Allister has provided the versatality that Liverpool have missed in the previous years. In the midfield, he can play in all three midfield positions. He is the one player who has been fluid in his position in the field. Playing as number 10 this season, he has made a big difference in the Liverpool midfield.
His opposite number Granit Xhaka is slow in pace and speed of play. The German club’s midfield in general lacks mobility and if Liverpool press well enough, they would be finding gaps with ease. It is the wide experience that Xhaka brings with him that has often been the decider for Leverkusen. His passing range, vision and agression on the pitch makes him a serious contender that can cause a few problems for Liverpool.
Luis Diaz vs Jeremie Frimpong
Luis Diaz of Liverpool (Photo by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Luiz Diaz has been in red hot form since the start of the season and he will be looking to make an impact when Liverpool face Leverkusen tonight. The Colombian winger has the speed and acceleration to cause menace in the opposition territory and his attributes can be a massive factor for Arne Slot’s side.
However, he will up against the mercurial fullback of Leverkusen, Jeremie Frimpong. The full back has been sensational for Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen side, and besides his attacking prowess, he also contributes defensively, which would mean that his pace and ability to fall back would prove crucial to stop the progress of the Liverpool winger.
