Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen Prediction: Gakpo to step up for Slot

Xabi Alonso returns to Anfield with Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday night (20:00 live on Prime Video) hoping to mastermind a Champions League victory over his old club Liverpool.

The Reds have won all three of their matches so far in Europe's premier club competition, but their German opponents can leapfrog them in the table with a victory on Merseyside. Read on for my Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

Team News

Ibrahima Konate was substituted at half-time for Liverpool in Saturday's win over Brighton & Hove Albion due to an arm injury, meaning that Joe Gomez could come into the starting XI.

Meanwhile, Alisson Becker, Harvey Elliott, Federico Chiesa and Diogo Jota all remain on the treatment table for Arne Slot.

As for the visitors, Nordi Mukiele hurt his thigh in the draw with Stuttgart and is now expected to remain out until after the international break.

Armine Adli, Jeanuel Belocian and Martin Terrier all remain absent for Tuesday's encounter, while Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz are expected to start.

Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen Odds

*Please click on the link above to be taken to the main Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen page on betfred.com (or app) for all the live betting prices on this match.

Liverpool are favourites for the game at 7/10, giving them an implied win probability of 58.8%, while the draw is 3/1 and Leverkusen can be backed at 7/2.

Unsurprisingly, after overtaking Robbie Fowler into eighth place in the all-time Premier League scoring charts on Saturday, Mohamed Salah leads the anytime goalscorer market for the hosts at 6/5. Victor Boniface, who's scored eight goals across all competitions this term is shortest-priced for the German side at 21/10.

Liverpool to win and both teams to score - yes @ 15/8

Liverpool have won six of their seven home games this season, including each of their last five, so they come into Tuesday's encounter full of confidence.

Former Liverpool midfielder Alonso was many fans' first choice to succeed Jurgen Klopp in the Anfield dugout, but Slot has enjoyed a seamless transition from Feyenoord to Merseyside, and another victory on Tuesday night would be further vindication of the decision to appoint the Dutchman.

The Reds have tasted defeat just once in 16 games - a shock 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest - and as mentioned in the introduction, all three Champions League ties have ended in victory, too.

Leverkusen enjoyed a phenomenal campaign last year, steering through the entire domestic campaign without defeat as they completed the double in style, but this season hasn't been as smooth, winning just eight of their 15 encounters across all competitions.

I'm backing Liverpool to win once again on Tuesday, but I suspect there could be goals at both ends - the Reds have scored and conceded in their last three overall and may be more vulnerable to shipping a goal in this clash due to Konate’s injury.

Cody Gakpo to score anytime @ 15/8

Cody Gakpo appears to be a player that Slot is getting the best out of.

The winger has netted five times this term, including a goal against Brighton on Saturday, and at 15/8, represents good value to score anytime on Tuesday.

He's yet to get off the mark in Europe this season, so he'll be eager to make the difference here.

Offers

Tuesday/Wednesday (05/11 – 06/11): Place an In-Play single bet of £10 or more at odds of 1/2+ on any Champions League game on Tuesday or Wednesday and get £5 in Free Bets to use In-Play on Thursday’s Europa League games. (Credited upon Bet Settlement)

Tuesday (05/11): We will be Top Price on Liverpool to beat Bayer Leverkusen with selected bookmakers using Oddschecker for the comparison. (Available from 09:30 Tuesday 05/11)

Double Delight & Hat-Trick Heaven: Place a pre-match single bet on the first goalscorer market and get DOUBLE or TREBLE the odds if your winning First Goalscorer bet scores a 2nd and 3rd.

Acca Flex: Place a pre-match 5+ leg Football accumulator and get a CASH bonus up to 100% if all of your selections win or your money back as CASH if one leg lets you down.

You can read all our latest Football Betting Tips at our dedicated Betfred Insights content hub.