Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen LIVE: Champions League team news, line-ups and more tonight – UK Times

Caoimhin Kelleher is excited for his ‘special moment’ when he steps out onto the pitch to take part in a big European night at Anfield.

Liverpool’s goalkeeper said: “I’ve experienced quite a few European nights at Anfield, not playing, but it’s always electric.

“It will be a special moment and one I’m looking forward to, for sure. The Champions League is the Champions League: it’s one of the biggest competitions.

“We have a good history in the competition, so the motivation is there.”

Caoimhin Kelleher took the pre-match press conference alongside Arne Slot and admitted to liking the new Champions League format especially as it means playing against more teams from the continent.

He said: “It’s a bit different. I personally quite like it, playing different teams on each occasion is kind of cool. You’re going away to different stadiums too, which is nice. It’s cool to play more teams.”

The Liverpool boss also gave his thoughts on the new Champions League format and explained a few of the positives. He said: “When you play now, every tie is a new opponent.

“You can be lucky or unlucky and then it has to do with which teams you face at home or away. What I love is every evening I can switch to a game that is really a nice one to watch.”

Liverpool manager Arne Slot spoke ahead of tonight’s match and laid out what he is expecting from the game. He said: “It is a big European game which is almost always the situation when you play the Champions League.

“Mainly also for what Xabi Alonso did for this club, especially in Europe as well. Domestically and in Europe last season, they were incredible.

“I think this season they are just as good but a bit more unlucky when it comes to results. It’s a big game to look forward to for people who love the game.”

Former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp defended his decision to join Red Bull as global head of soccer from next year following criticism from fans in Germany, saying the project was “outstanding” for him.

Klopp, who ended a successful nine-year stint at Liverpool last season, also coached Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, with many of those clubs’ fans angered by his decision to join Red Bull.

Liverpool have been given a big boost as centre-back Ibrahima Konate confirmed his arm injury will not force him to miss any games for the club.

The 25-year-old posted a positive update on his instagram following a medical assessment after the game.

He wrote: “Thanks for all the messages of support. My injury isn’t serious thankfully. I had a scan today and it confirmed there is no break. I’ll be ready for the next game.”

“We will see, I will tell you after the game how I feel. There will be a moment for everything, but the main thing is not me,” Xabi Alonso replied when asked by the media if he was looking forward to his Anfield return.

He added: “It’s the players, how we deal with the emotions you have in this stadium, they are in a good moment. Maybe I will take a little walk or a run, but there is no time for tourism.

“I know the city very well, I loved it, but I will focus on the game and only the game.”

“For us it is a big challenge to come here. Liverpool at the moment is one of the best if not the best in Europe, they are showing that in a very strong Premier League and the Champions League.

“It’s a good squad, good coach. At Anfield, it’s a big challenge. We’re looking forward to it, let’s see what happens.”

Former Liverpool great Xabi Alonso dodged questions about taking over at Anfield and insisted he does not return to the city as a tourist.

Asked whether it was ever a serious consideration, the Spaniard, who won the 2005 Champions League during a five-year spell at Anfield, said: “At that time I was focused, I had a big thing with the players and we were really focused on that.”

A hard-fought game but a high-quality one, with the home advantage for the Reds proving enough to edge them to three points.

Liverpool 2-1 Bayer Leverkusen.