Live blog: Werkself away at Liverpool

+++4 November, 7.51pm CET+++

After a little over an hour in the air and an approach taking the team over the River Mersey, the Werkself touched down at Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport. After passport checks, almost all the team will make their way to the hotel.

As for Alonso and Xhaka, they’ll be part of a smaller delegation making the trip straight to Anfield for the pre-match press conference. As you all know, it’s a first professional return here for Alonso. We’ll have all the key statements from him and Xhaka shortly after they’ve spoke.

+++4 November, 4.55pm CET+++

The bus made it through the traffic on the motorway to Düsseldorf. The first players from the first team and U19s have taken their seats at the gate. The flight to Liverpool is scheduled to depart shortly. We’ll be back with you once we touch down in the UK!

+++4 November, 2.02pm CET+++

After some warming up inside the BayArena, Jonathan Tah and the rest of the squad made their way out into the sunshine of the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion for final training. The players got up to speed with some passing drills on small pitches, while the goalkeepers focused on dealing with crosses and headers with coach David Thiel. There was also good news as Martin Terrier trained again, while U19 player Francis Onyeka was once again with the senior squad. The team will shortly go and have lunch before making their way to the airport.

+++4 November, 12.43pm CET+++

Managing director for sport Simon Rolfes spoke to the media during training this lunchtime: “We’re really looking forward to the game at Anfield. We’re expecting an intense match against an excellent opponent in a great atmosphere. These are the games we worked for last season, to experience things like this. We’re expecting the opposition to run hard and be physically robust – that’s part of English football culture. It’s a big challenge to so seamlessly keep it going after following such a dominant figure like Jürgen Klopp and such a successful time. It’s a great job by those in charge at Liverpool and a sign of the internal stability and continuity in the club.”

Nevertheless, the Werkself will go into Tuesday’s fixture full of confidence: “You can’t control every phase of the game in these top games, but it’s about accepting all phases – those when you dominate and those where you need to be uncompromising in your resistance. We want to build on our performance against Stuttgart on Friday. If we get a result, then we’ve taken a huge step towards the next round.”

+++4 November, 10.36am CET+++

Our U19s are also making the trip to England today for their UEFA Youth League fixture. Head coach Sergi Runge will first hold final training at the BayArena before lunch and the flight to Liverpool. The squad will then make their way to the hotel for dinner and the final pre-match meeting. The game against Liverpool’s U19s is at 3pm CET on Wednesday. You’ll be able to watch it live on YouTube.

+++4 November, 9.47am CET+++

Good morning from Leverkusen! Today’s preparations for the Werkself begin at 1pm with final training at the Ulrich-Haberland-Stadion. The squad will then have lunch together at the BayArena before their flight from Düsseldorf to Liverpool. Xabi Alonso and Granit Xhaka will then be whisked off straight to Anfield for the pre-match press conference. You can keep up with all the action right here.