39 mins: Florian Wirtz and Kostas Tsimikas come together as they attempt to both win a long ball. Tsimikas is semi-successful but his efforts only send the ball out of play for a throw in.

36 mins: Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold stand over the ball and debate who should take the set piece. Alexander-Arnold looks to curl a shot into the near top corner but a deflection off the wall takes it behind for a corner.

Kostas Tsimikas whips the corner into the box but picks out Lukas Hradecky.

33 mins: The came has just settled into a steady to-and-fro rhythm. A goal kick from Lukas Hradecky is won in the air by Virgil van Dijk.

He nods the ball up to Mo Salah who flicks it on for Luis Diaz. Diaz is brought down and Liverpool have a penalty in a danergous area.

30 mins: Half an hour played and nothing to separate the teams. Liverpool have had their moments but Leverkusen are well drilled and solid in defence.

The core back three haven’t made it easy for the hosts in this half.

27 mins: There’s a tussle between Mo Salah and Aleix Garcia over on the right wing. Salah looks to bring down an aerial ball and spins around the back of Garcia who drags him down.

Garica goes in the book and Liverpool win a free kick.

24 mins: Jeremie Frimpong catches a little clip from Van Dijk as he enters the Liverpool box. He takes another couple of steps then falls over hoping for a penalty.

The referee says no as does the VAR.

Leverkusen are upping their threat levels though.

21 mins: At the other end of the pitch Granit Xhaka takes the first shot for Leverkusen. It’s a rather hopeful one from outside the penalty area which strikes Van Dijk on the head.

The defender manages to ge the ball clear then rubs his face with a grimace of agony.

18 mins: Arne Slot will be pleased with this start. Virgil van Dijk floats a pass over to Mo Salah. Liverpool throw men over to the right side of the box and the effort comes from Salah setting up Diaz.

Diaz shoots but can’t beat the closest defender.

A lovely flick down the left wing from Kostas Tsimikas sends Luis Diaz on his way up the pitch. He darts inside and rolls a pass into the box for Mo Salah.

Salah thinks about a shot but sets up Curtis Jones instead. Jones runs onto the ball and drills his effort at goal but watches it land safely in the arms of Lukas Hradecky.

12 mins: Leverkusen have settled slightly after Liverpool’s strong start. They’re seeing more of the ball and forcing the Reds into deeper areas to defend.

Liverpool are quick on that counter attack though so the visitors need to remain wary.