Liverpool line-ups for Bayer Leverkusen as Ibrahima Konate and Alexis Mac Allister decisions made

Liverpool resume their European adventure again on Tuesday night. It promises to be a special occasion too, as former player Xabi Alonso brings his excellent Bayer Leverkusen side to Anfield.

The Reds have won all three of their Champions League games so far this season in the new-look group stage. Another victory would almost virtually secure qualification to the knockout phase of the competition in the new year. Leverkusen have been impressive too, with two wins and a draw from their first three matches.

Paul Gorst, Ian Doyle and Theo Squires will all be in attendance for the fixture. This is how each of them would set up the team.

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Paul Gorst

Difficult to say which is the bigger of the two games this week at Anfield. The visit from Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen for the Champions League or Aston Villa in the Premier League? Saying that, I don’t think there’ll be too much rotation even if Arne Slot feels Saturday's fixture is the priority.

The only real dilemmas are at left-back, left-wing and perhaps in the No.10 position. And having said all that, those are where my changes are going to come. Ibrahima Konate is cleared to play so he starts.

I think this might be an ideal night for Curtis Jones to come in, in place of Dominik Szoboszlai. The former has been impressive of late and will be out to stake a further claim tonight.

At left-back, Andy Robertson can come in for Kostas Tsimikas, with Slot continuing that rotation policy on that side of the defence.

Up top, Cody Gakpo can have a rest. Three games in six days is a difficult schedule, so the Netherlands international can rest up and Luis Diaz can start.

My team (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Diaz; Nunez

Ian Doyle

The Champions League returns and Xabi Alonso is in the Anfield dugout - albeit in opposition. Arne Slot, meanwhile, keeps on winning as Liverpool boss.

What, then, is the Dutchman to do this evening against Bayer Leverkusen?

Rotation is required, but not an excessive amount. Caoimhin Kelleher can stay in goal, and the entire back four can remain the same meaning Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, the fit-again Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk at centre-back and Kostas Tsimikas staying at left-back.

In midfield, though, Alexis Mac Allister needs a rest. Curtis Jones can replace him alongside Ryan Gravenberch in the double pivot, with Dominik Szoboszlai continuing as the number 10.

Up top, Cody Gakpo was shattered towards the end against Brighton at the weekend and his place on the left can be taken by Luis Diaz. Mohamed Salah is on the right with Darwin Nunez down the middle.

My team (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz, Nunez

Theo Squires

Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso might be back at Anfield with Bayer Leverkusen, but Arne Slot will be determined to ensure it’s his Reds side that gets the biggest cheer of the night. They have an 100% winning record to try and preserve in the Champions League, after all, as they look to edge closer to eventual qualification.

With none of the mid-term absentees back until after the November international break, Slot has the familiar selection dilemmas to ponder down the left wing for this one. Kostas Tsimikas can keep his place ahead of Andy Robertson, but Luis Diaz returns to start ahead of Cody Gakpo.

Ibrahima Konate might have been passed fit after that wrist injury suffered against Brighton, but I’m taking no chances with the in-form Frenchman. He can be on the bench, with Joe Gomez rewarded with a start after his superb cameo against the Seagulls.

Elsewhere, Curtis Jones earns a recall in place of Alexis Mac Allister to partner Ryan Gravenberch, with Dominik Szoboszlai completing the midfield trio. But the rest of the starting XI picks itself.

My team (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Nunez