Liverpool vs Bayer Leverkusen LIVE: Champions League scores and updates as Gakpo gets an early chance

27 minutes: There is a tussle between Mo Salah and Aleix Garcia on the right wing. Salah looked to drop an aerial ball and spin around the back of Garcia who dragged him down.

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

24 mins: Jeremie Frimpong catches a small clip from Van Dijk as he enters the Liverpool box. He took a few more steps and then fell over expecting punishment.

The referee said nothing like VAR.

However, Leverkusen increased their threat level.

21 mins: At the end of the field Granit Xhaka takes the first shot for Leverkusen. It was a rather hopeful shot from outside the penalty area that struck Van Dijk in the head.

The defender managed to knock the ball away and rubbed his face with a tired grimace.

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

Diaz shot but couldn’t beat the nearest defender.

A brilliant flick from left winger Kostas Tsimikas sent Luis Diaz up the pitch. He darts inside and plays a pass into the box for Mo Salah.

Wrong thought about the shot but it made Curtis Jones. Jones raced to the ball and drilled an effort at goal but watched the ball slide safely into the hands of Lukas Hradecky.

12 mins: Leverkusen have settled down a bit after Liverpool’s strong start. He saw more of the ball and forced the Reds into deeper areas to defend.

Liverpool were quick to attack, so the visitors had to be on their toes.

9 mins: Leverkusen use their width for the first time in attack with Frimpong getting wide on the right wing. He whipped a cross into the center of the box but Ibrahima Konate was there to deny the ball.

He stayed down after cleaning and apparently took a painful hit to the face. He’s fine.

Another turn and Liverpool’s front three are flying forward. Mo Salah brings the ball and crosses to Luis Diaz. He took it up to the box and released a pass to Cody Gakpo.

Gakpo shot with an attempt to cross the goal only for the ball to be seen by Jeremie Frimpong.

6 mins: Liverpool have been strong in these opening minutes as they win the ball in midfield.

They were able to quickly pass to Gakpo again and come inside this time, the fool out of the first challenge then shoots and hits the next defender who blocks the effort in the corner of the box.

Cody Gakpo was set up on the left for Liverpool and fed into the low area. He drives into the box and passes to Luis Diaz in the middle.

Alejandro Grimaldo cut across the box from his position as a left wing-back and caught the ball clear.