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Liverpool vs Leverkusen - Xhaka Anfield Experience Leeway to Leverkusen

Liverpool – Granit Xhaka knows what the atmosphere will be like inside Anfield. Having played against Liverpool countless times with Arsenal, Xhaka can now share his experience with his new teammates at Bayer Leverkusen as they get ready for a Champions League match against the Reds this coming Wednesday, November 6, 2024.

A Champions League Clash of Unbeatens Both Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen enter in fine form. Liverpool is flying high in the Champions League, having grabbed a full mark in their first three matches. Liverpool sits second in its group with nine points, tied atop with Aston Villa. Leverkusen isn't far back, undefeated thus far with seven points, good for sixth on the overall table. This is likely to be a heated midweek battle, as both teams are eager for an extension of their unbeaten run.

Xhaka on Familiar Ground

To Granit Xhaka, Anfield is familiar turf. The Swiss midfielder has spent seven years in the Premier League with Arsenal from 2016 through 2023 and faced Liverpool on 15 occasions, thus gaining plenty of experience against the Reds.

Unfortunately, his record against them is not all that fond: Xhaka has lost seven times against Liverpool, while he has won and drawn four times each. Of those games, he secured a single win at Anfield during the penalty shootout in the 2020/2021 EFL Cup.

Now back on English soil with Leverkusen, Xhaka is confident of helping to prepare his team for that particular challenge that is Anfield: "I have mixed memories playing at Anfield," he related to UEFA. "I'll tell my teammates what to expect, but tomorrow is a new challenge.

Nostalgia and Familiar Faces

There is a tinge of nostalgia in the air as far as a few Leverkusen figures are concerned, with head coach Xabi Alonso, who spent years at Anfield as a Liverpool player. Xhaka remembers the intensity, the atmosphere, and something different that the stadium of Liverpool brings to the game.

While Xhaka's experience may prove a plus for Leverkusen, he acknowledges it will perhaps only take him so far. Anfield is renowned, of course, for its electric atmosphere and frenzied fans, but each game is different, posing its varied challenges. Much has changed, as Xhaka mentioned, since his last game at Anfield a year ago, with Liverpool in constant flux under the guidance of manager Jürgen Klopp.

A Tough Challenge for Leverkusen

The stakes are high for Leverkusen. They travel to Liverpool for a Champions League match, not the smallest feat against a team as strong at home as Liverpool. Yet, with a mix of Xhaka's experience and Alonso, who knows Liverpool's style inside out, Leverkusen are confident that they will be well-prepared to face the Reds. Can Leverkusen’s streak continue, or will Liverpool’s Anfield magic overpower the Bundesliga side? Xhaka’s insights may give Leverkusen an edge, but it’s clear this will be a new challenge for both him and his teammates. Match Details A stage for a titanic duel is set, with Anfield being the perfect backstage. For the two to clash Mano-a-Mano, catch Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen live in action and see whether Xhaka's guidance makes the difference for Leverkusen while going on to dent Liverpool's perfect Champions League record this season!












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