07.03.2005 - Champions League Preview - Bayer Leverkusen v Liverpool
Liverpool aim to reach the last eight of the Champions League on Wednesday, with a return to the ground where their progress in the competition was ended at the quarter final stage almost three years ago.
Unlike in 2002, Liverpool will step out into the small but intimidating BayArena with a two goal advantage, and in order for Bayer to achieve any ambitions of turning the tie around over 90 minutes, they'll require a win and scoreline which only one German side have managed to achieve during Liverpool's previous fifteen visits to face German opposition.
On that occasion, the Reds were beaten 2-0 by Borussia Moenchengladbach, in the final of the 1977 UEFA Cup, which Liverpool went on to win 3-2 on aggregate.
Including the 1977 Super Cup against Hamburg, Liverpool have won just one, drawn eight and lost six of their trips to face German sides, although a second win on German soil was recorded in the 2001 UEFA Cup Final victory.
But despite few successes away from Anfield, only twice have Liverpool lost a two leg tie to a club from Germany.
Of course, the most recent of those two losses came against Leverkusen, and the Germans are confident of repeating their 2002 win, with their home form so far this season suggesting that they are far from out of the competition, despite Liverpool's two goal advantage at the halfway point in the tie.
Real Madrid were beaten 3-0 in the group stage, and Bayer also comfortably saw off Roma (3-1) and Dinamo Kiev (3-0) in the group stage.
However, if Leverkusen are to qualify for the quarter final of Europe's top competition for only the second time, they'll have to do it without midfielders Paul Freier and Robson Ponte, who both collected bookings at Anfield which will see them suspended for the match.
And Leverkusen will also be missing a number of players through injury, with captain Jens Nowotny already ruled out for the season, before fellow defender Juan tore ankle ligaments and will miss out, while Roque Junior could also be sidelined.
Rafa Benitez will be able to field Steve Gerrard for the return leg, with the Reds' skipper returning to Chempions League action after serving a one match ban.
Djimi Traore is still out for Liverpool, but Dietmar Hamann and Harry Kewell should be fit, and Jerzy Dudek is likely to start in goal after missing the defeat to Newcastle at the weekend.
Bayer Leverkusen v Liverpool takes place on Wednesday, kick off 7.45pm.
Liverpool v German clubs in Europe
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