Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen | Analysis | Champions League 2024/25

Under the iconic lights of Anfield, Liverpool prepared to face Bayer Leverkusen in what promised to be an exciting Champions League encounter. With Arne Slot leading the charge for Liverpool and Xabi Alonso at the lead for Leverkusen, fans anticipated a tactical battle filled with intensity and flair. Liverpool, known for their high-pressing style and possession based play, looked to capitalize on their home advantage, while Leverkusen aimed to disrupt their rhythm with quick passing. You will read it all in this Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen analysis

Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen; First Half

From the kick-off, both teams exhibited a high tempo, eager to make their mark. Leverkusen looked to exploit their quick passing game, while Liverpool aimed to leverage their attacking prowess.

Key Moments:

2’: Leverkusen’s Frimpong made an early attempt to assert his presence, laying the ball off to Boniface just outside the box. However, his shot went wide, signaling the urgency from the German side.

14’: Liverpool’s Curtis Jones capitalized on a defensive lapse from Tapsoba, receiving a well-timed pass from Diaz. Jones unleashed a shot from the edge of the area, but it was comfortably saved by Hradecky. This chance highlighted Liverpool’s pressing effectiveness and their ability to create opportunities from defensive errors.

35’: A crucial moment came when Xhaka fouled Luis Diaz at the edge of the penalty box, earning Liverpool a free kick. Trent Alexander-Arnold stepped up but saw his effort blocked by the wall, leading to a corner.

44’: The tension peaked as Frimpong found the net with a powerful strike, only for it to be ruled out for a handball in the build-up. This decision left Leverkusen frustrated, while Liverpool breathed a sigh of relief as they held on to their clean sheet.

45+1’: The half concluded with Gakpo missing a promising chance, shooting straight at Hradecky after a brilliant long ball from Jones. This miss would haunt Liverpool as they headed into the break without a goal.

Despite the scoreline, both teams had shown glimpses of their attacking potential, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the second half.

Second Half Dominance

The second half began with Liverpool looking to assert their authority on the game. The atmosphere at Anfield seemed to lift the players, and Liverpool began to dominate proceedings.

Key Moments:

58’: Salah had a golden opportunity to put Liverpool ahead, created by a slick move involving Gravenberch. However, his shot flew wide of the goal, highlighting the pressure on Liverpool to convert their chances.

61’ – GOAL! Liverpool 1-0: The breakthrough finally arrived when Curtis Jones dropped deeper to collect the ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold. He delivered a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Luis Diaz, who showed composure to chip the ball over Hradecky, sending the Anfield crowd into a frenzy. This goal reflected Liverpool’s attacking fluidity and tactical awareness.

63’ – GOAL! Liverpool 2-0: Liverpool doubled their lead just moments later. Mohamed Salah, always a threat, provided a pinpoint cross that found Cody Gakpo. The Dutch forward rose above the Leverkusen defense to head home, further asserting Liverpool’s dominance in the match. Gakpo’s confidence grew with this goal, showcasing his ability to influence big games.

72’: Liverpool continued to press, with Mac Allister forcing a stunning save from Hradecky. The goalkeeper dived to his right to deny a well-placed shot from the Argentine, who was looking to make his mark in the match.

83’ – GOAL! Liverpool 3-0: Luis Diaz capped off an impressive performance with a third goal, converting a low cross from Salah. The Colombian striker showcased his finishing ability, placing the ball into the net from close range. This goal not only demonstrated Liverpool’s attacking prowess but also highlighted the fatigue and diminishing resolve of the Leverkusen players.

90+2’ – GOAL! Liverpool 4-0: Luis Diaz shoots the ball ins the short corner after a shot of Darwin Nuñez got deflected by a Leverkusen defender and fell in front on Luis Diaz feet.

Defensive Highlights:

Throughout the Champions League match, Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Kelleher, was important in maintaining their clean sheet:

85’: A crucial moment arose when Kelleher made a phenomenal double save, first denying a powerful shot from Patrick Schick and then quickly reacting to Wirtz’s follow-up effort. His composure under pressure was vital in keeping Leverkusen at bay. 😉

87’: Another impressive save came from Kelleher as he deflected Andrich’s shot from outside the box, showing his agility and positioning.

Post-Game Analysis

Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen’s second half was characterized by Liverpool’s dominance and tactical discipline, lead by Van Dijk. They effectively controlled possession, forcing Leverkusen to defend deeper and more compactly. Slot’s tactical decisions, particularly the positioning of Alexander-Arnold and Gravenberch, were pivotal in transitioning from defense to attack.

Tactical Insights:

Formation and Strategy: Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen was a tactical match, where Liverpool utilized a fluid attacking setup, with Jones often joining the attack to create overloads in wide areas. Leverkusen, on the other hand, adopted a 5-3-2 formation when defending, attempting to disrupt Liverpool’s creativity. However, as the match progressed, their midfield struggled to cope with the intensity of Liverpool’s pressing and quick transitions.

Key Players: Curtis Jones’s performance stood out as he not only contributed defensively but also played a crucial role in linking play. Mohamed Salah’s creativity was instrumental, providing two assists and drawing defenders away to create space for others. And of course; Luis Diaz, the man of the match with his first Liverpool hattrick ever.

Final Statistics:

Expected Goals (xG): Liverpool 4.12 | Leverkusen 0.80

Shots on Target: Liverpool 8 | Leverkusen 4

Big Chances Missed: Both teams had 1.

Touches in Penalty Area: Liverpool 38 | Leverkusen 15

Final Third Entries: Liverpool 49 | Leverkusen 53

Conclusion

Liverpool’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen showcased their attacking depth and defensive organization. The Reds demonstrated their capacity to perform at a high level in crucial matches, sending a strong message to their Champions League rivals.