For the latest on this evening's Champions League ties, join Tom Rostance for live text commentary which will feature Real Madrid v Liverpool and Arsenal v Anderlecht.

That's it from the Sportsday team for today, there will be more of the same from 08:00 GMT on Wednesday.

Bayern Leverkusen take control of their Champions League tie against Zenit. Two quick-fire goals by Heung-Min Son, in the 68th and 73rd minute, gives the Germans a handsome lead.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers starts with Kolo Toure, Lucas, Emre Can, Adam Lallana and Fabio Borini against Real Madrid, with regular starters Glen Johnson, Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and Mario Balotelli on the substitutes' bench.

It's a strong-looking bench...

Liverpool XI: Mignolet, Manquillo, Toure, Skrtel, Moreno, Lucas, Can, Allen, Lallana, Markovic, Borini.

Defender Martin Skrtel captains Liverpool in their Champions League tie against Real Madrid this evening as Steven Gerrard starts on the bench.

Midfielder Leon Britton is on course to be in the selection mix for Swansea's Premier League clash against Manchester City later this month.

Britton, 32, has not played so far this season after suffering a knee injury during the summer.

However, the Swans announced on their official website that he took part in training on Tuesday and will continue with partial team training for the rest of this week before making a full return during the forthcoming international break.

A section of Liverpool fans are reportedly planning on flying a banner over Anfield calling on manager Brendan Rodgers to be sacked.

A Twitter account, under the name @RodgersOutClub, has revealed a plane will fly over Anfield when the team plays Chelsea on Saturday displaying a banner which says: , external"Brendan Rodgers is a football genius. Forever in love with Southampton and Swansea's footballers. £215m spent on absolute rubbish #RodgersOUT".

The second half is under way at the Petrovsky Stadium and although Andre Villas-Boas's men are enjoying plenty of possession, they have been unable to break Leverkusen's defence. It remains 0-0 between the two sides after 54 minutes.

What do footballers do in their spare time? Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech pretends he's a rock star. The Czech has posted a video of himself, external playing the drums along to the Foo Fighters' 'Walk'.

Cech wrote: "Drum cover of my favourite band... it is not perfect but I wanted to do it in one take without correcting it."

The American band could do worse than calling the 32-year-old should they need to replace current drummer Taylor Hawkins.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Real Madrid and Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has said he was shocked when he learnt that the two teams were drawn against each other in the Champions League.

Real host Liverpool this evening, and Bayern Munich midfielder Alonso told liverpoolfc.com:, external "When the draw was made, it was like a little shock in my mind because I remember that I was going through the medical session at Munich. I came out from the scan and my agent asked me if I'd seen the draw.

"I told him I hadn't and he told me it was Liverpool and Madrid. It was like a shock in my body, because when I was still in Madrid, I was really happy that Liverpool were back in the Champions League."

If Southampton finish in the top four this season, it will be a greater achievement than finishing second in the old First Division in 1984, according to Kevin Keegan.

They are currently second in the Premier League and the former Liverpool, Saints, Newcastle and England forward told BBC South Today he was impressed by the management style of Ronald Koeman.

"They are capable of playing the big teams at football, which is what will really please the Southampton fans, they're not going out there and setting up to defend," the former England boss added.

England manager Roy Hodgson has not spoken to Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers about the fitness of striker Daniel Sturridge ahead of his squad announcement for the matches against Slovenia and Scotland.

Reds forward Sturridge, who has been sidelined since early September with a thigh injury suffered on England duty and a calf problem before his club comeback, has travelled to Spain with Liverpool for their Champions League clash with Real Madrid.

When asked if he had spoken to Rodgers, Hodgson told Sky Sports News: "I was waiting to see what the situation would be with him (Sturridge). It's very good news to hear that he's travelled but of course before I select him again I would check with the player and the club that we were doing the right thing."

Image source, Kirsty Wigglesworth

Russian runners-up Zenit are piling on the pressure against the German visitors, but forward Aleksandr Kerzhakov is twice denied the opener in a matter of moments.

The Russia forward is stopped by the legs of Leverkusen keeper Bernd Leno after he is put clean through by his skipper Danny, then the pair combine again seconds later. This time Kerzhakov rounds Leno but is beaten by a tight angle.

Zenit boss Andre Villas-Boas, looking resplendent in a sky blue padded jacket, seems happy on the touchline.

Image source, Getty Images

England scrum-half and Liverpool fan Danny Care: , externalAnyone saying they wouldn't have Gerrard in the @LFC team tonight against Madrid needs to have a word with themselves. Need our leader

Image source, BBC Sport

An American called Michael Furrh has set a new Guinness world record for the longest shot with the longest usable golf club., external The Dallas native made 63 yards with a driver which measured 20 ft and 6 ins.

If Liverpool fans were looking for positive omens ahead of the senior team's Champions League tie against Real Madrid this evening, their younger players failed to provide any as Liverpool's Under-19s have lost 4-1 to Real Madrid Under-19s.

Image source, Getty Images

How many of that winning Liverpool starting XI do you think are still at Anfield today? I'll tell you. One. And that is centre-back Martin Skrtel. Here's how they lined up.

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Skrtel, Carragher, Fabio Aurelio, Benayoun, Alonso, Mascherano, Riera (Gerrard 88), Torres (Babel 62), Kuyt (Lucas 90)

Image source, Getty Images

Will he? Won't he? That is the question. Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard could be dropped to the bench for tonight's Champions League trip to Real Madrid - almost unthinkable for many Reds fans.

But the ex-England midfielder has started on the bench at the Bernabeu before. And it turned out well, very well in fact, for Rafa Benitez's side.

The Reds won 1-0 in the first leg of their 2008-09 last-16 tie thanks to Yossi Benayoun's header, then went on to win 5-0 on aggregate.

While the Liverpool and Arsenal lads tuck into their pre-match meal of beans on toast, two sets of players have already kicked off tonight's Champions League action.

Group C leaders Bayer Leverkusen are visiting Russian runners-up Zenit St Petersburg knowing a win will edge them closer into the last 16. Still goalless in the early exchanges.

Leeds president Massimo Cellino hopes to keep Neil Redfearn as head coach for the next 10 years.

Former academy manager Redfearn, 49, signed a 12-month rolling contract at the weekend to become the club's fourth head coach since Cellino completed his takeover in April.

"I hope he stays at least 10 years. That is the dream, to keep him as coach for at least 10 years," Cellino, known as the 'manager-eater' in Italy, told Sky Sports.

Image source, BBC Sport

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher: , externalThe lads are in good spirits in a lounge at the Bernabeu before the game!