Although Bayer are currently riding high in the Bundesliga, Meijer believes the Reds will gain their revenge for their 2002 defeat and will progress to the quarter finals.
"I don't think Leverkusen are as strong as they were three years ago. That was the year they reached the Champions League Final and I wouldn't say the team they have now is as good as that one," said Meijer.
"They are still a good strong Bundesliga team though. Very strong up front but concede too many goals. The majority of their players have been together now for a couple of years and, like a typical German side, they are a well-organised outfit.
"Freier is a German international player who operates on the right side. He is a good player. As is the striker Berbatov, who a lot of the top European club's want to sign. Carsten Ramelow is another influential member of the team and I'd say these are Leverkusen's most important players.
"I think they are taking heart from the fact that they defeated Liverpool when the two sides last met. Maybe they are quietly confident but they also know that a lot has changed at Liverpool since that meeting.
"I believe Liverpool are a better team now than then. Steven Gerrard is an amazing player and he's now three years older. If he'd have been eligible for both legs and was able to exert his influence then I would fully have expected Liverpool to win it."The fact that he will be missing from the first leg is not good for Liverpool. And with Morientes also unable to play that means they will be without two very important players. That makes their task a little bit tougher but I'm still backing them to get through."