The Werkself have met Liverpool in four competitive matches to date, all of them in the Champions League. After a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of the 2001/02 quarter-final, Bayer 04 won 4-2 in the second leg to progress. That was the only previous victory over the Reds, for whom it was also their last defeat against German opponents in Europe.
Two further encounters followed in the 2004/05 campaign, with the English side winning both and also going on to win Europe's most prestigious title. Xabi Alonso was a Liverpool player at that time but missed the games against the Werkself through injury. There's an in-depth feature on Alonso's return to his former stomping ground HERE.
In the current Champions League season, the Reds sit second in the league phase table with nine points from three matches. After starting with a 3-1 victory at AC Milan, Arne Slot's side beat Bologna 2-0 at home before a 1-0 win at RB Leipzig. Liverpool have led longer in games than any other team, although Bayer 04 are one of six teams who are yet to trail in a Champions League game this term.
It's been an impressive start to life under Slot. The Dutchman, who moved from Feyenoord in the summer as Jürgen Klopp's successor, is shining on all fronts. The Merseyside club recently reached the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup and are top of the Premier League, where they boast the fewest goals conceded. The attack is firing on all cylinders too: Mohamed Salah has been directly involved in 12 goals in the first 10 matches, Luis Diaz in seven. Not to mention other prominent names like Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez or Diogo Jota. The Bayer 04 defence must therefore be prepared for a busy night at Anfield. More on tonight's opponents here.
For all Werkself fans following the game in Liverpool, Bayer 04 partner weloveholidays has summarised the best travel tips for the top attractions in the big city in the English north-west. You can find the article HERE.
For those who can't be there, you can also follow the Werkself's trip in our live blog HERE.
There will be a minute's silence before kick-off in memory of the victims of the flood disaster in eastern Spain. The players of both teams and the referees will also wear black armbands. The region around the city of Valencia was hit by severe flooding last week, killing over 200 people and leaving many more still missing.
UEFA has appointed Danny Makkelie for tonight's fixture. The 41-year-old Dutchman has overseen three competitive matches involving the Werkself to date (two wins, one draw). Makkelie is assisted by compatriots Hessel Steegstra and Jan den Vries on the touchlines, and Rob Dieperink as VAR.
Tonight, 5 December at 21:00 CET, Bayer 04 take to the legendary Anfield to play English giants Liverpool FC on Matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League (live on Amazon Prime Video). The Matchday News has all the info on the clash with the current Premier League leaders.
Show moreThe Werkself take on Liverpool FC at Anfield on Matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday 5 November (21:00 CET, live on Prime Video). At the press conference at the historic stadium, head coach Xabi Alonso discussed his return to his former club as well as the gameplan against the Reds, while Granit Xhaka warned of strong opponents.
Show moreLiverpool could hardly have made a better start to this season, sitting top of the Premier League, boasting three wins from three in the UEFA Champions League, and through to the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup. Arne Slot’s side are in imperious form ahead of hosting the Werkself at Anfield, where Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and the others want to keep that momentum going against Germany’s double winners. Here’s all you need to know about our next opponents…
Show moreXabi Alonso spent five years as a player at Liverpool. It was where he developed into a global star, winning the Champions League with The Reds in 2005 and, subsequently, three more trophies. Now he's making his first return to the Anfield Road as Bayer 04 coach. We reflect on his time at the club and take a look back at the Werkself's two previous encounters with the Liverpudlians.
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