Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen LIVE: Champions League score and updates as Gakpo and Diaz start
The Reds look to continue their winning run in the European top-flight
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Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool host the Bundesliga champions in tonight’s Champions League clash as Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen make the trip to Anfield for this league phase match-up.
Arne Slot’s side have made a perfect start to their European campaign winning all three of their matches so far with victories over AC Milan, Bologna and RB Leipzig. Two of those wins came away from home and Slot will hope the atmosphere inside Anfield will carry his players to a fourth victory in a row against the German side.
Leverkusen have been unable to continue their impressive form from last season but are still a threatening side. They are unbeaten in the Champions League with two wins and a draw and sit fourth in the Bundesliga after nine games. Their last defeat came at the end of August and they are unbeaten in 11 matches since meaning Liverpool will have to work hard to claim all three points tonight.
Follow all the Champions League action with our live blog below:
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
21 mins: At the other end of the pitch Granit Xhaka takes the first shot for Leverkusen. It’s a rather hopeful one from outside the penalty area which strikes Van Dijk on the head.
The defender manages to ge the ball clear then rubs his face with a grimace of agony.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
18 mins: Arne Slot will be pleased with this start. Virgil van Dijk floats a pass over to Mo Salah. Liverpool throw men over to the right side of the box and the effort comes from Salah setting up Diaz.
Diaz shoots but can’t beat the closest defender.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
15 mins: Chance!
A lovely flick down the left wing from Kostas Tsimikas sends Luis Diaz on his way up the pitch. He darts inside and rolls a pass into the box for Mo Salah.
Salah thinks about a shot but sets up Curtis Jones instead. Jones runs onto the ball and drills his effort at goal but watches it land safely in the arms of Lukas Hradecky.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
12 mins: Leverkusen have settled slightly after Liverpool’s strong start. They’re seeing more of the ball and forcing the Reds into deeper areas to defend.
Liverpool are quick on that counter attack though so the visitors need to remain wary.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
9 mins: Leverkusen use their width for the first time in attack with Frimpong getting wide on the right wing. He whips a cross into the middle of the box but Ibrahima Konate is there to nod the ball away.
He stays down after his clearance and seemingly took a painful hit to the face. He’s okay though.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
7 mins: Nearly!
Another turn over and Liverpool’s front three fly forward. Mo Salah brings the ball then nestles it across to Luis Diaz. He takes it up to the box then releases a pass to Cody Gakpo.
Gakpo shoots with an effort across goal only for the ball to get deflected by Jeremie Frimpong.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
6 mins: Liverpool have been strong over these opening minutes at winning the ball back in the middle of the pitch.
They work it quickly over to Gakpo again and he comes inside this time, dummies out of a first challenge then shoots and hits the next defender who blocks the effort on the edge of the box.
Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
3 mins: Nice!
Cody Gakpo has set up on the left side for Liverpool and is fed into a bit of space. He drives up to the box and squares a pass towards Luis Diaz in the centre.
Alejandro Grimaldo cuts into the box from his position as left wingback and hooks the ball clear.
Kick off! Liverpool 0-0 Leverkusen
Leverkusen kick off the match and send the ball over to the left side of the pitch. A forward pass is too heavy and skips safely through to Caoimhin Kelleher.
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