Liverpool visit Red Bull Salzburg at the Stadio Wals-Siezenheim in a must-win match as both teams seek to progress from Group E into the Knockout Stages.
Salzburg simply need to win because anything less than three points will condemn them to the Europa League next Spring, whilst Liverpool must avoid defeat but a win will see them top the group.
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesSalzburg could start Cican Stankovic in goal after the keeper overcame a thigh injury.
Sekou Koita, Patrick Farkas and Antoine Bernede are ruled out with undisclosed injuries.
Liverpool could be without defender, Dejan Lovren after the Croatian was subbed at the weekend with a muscle issue.
Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum meanwhile are expected to be fit despite sitting out Saturday’s win at Bournemouth with cramp.
Joel Matip and Nathaniel Clyne are still absent with knee injuries whilst Fabinho is still sidelined with an ankle injury.
Stat Attack
- Liverpool won their only previous meeting with Red Bull Salzburg, beating the Austrian team 4-3 at Anfield in October.
- Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is the only Liverpool player to have scored home and away against the same opposition in the Group Stage this season, doing so against Genk.
- Five of Salzburg’s eight home goals in this group have come from Erling Braut Haland.
Prediction
Liverpool ended a 13 match run without a clean sheet in all competitions on Saturday, so this will be a huge test of their defence against a Salzburg team who has scored in all 25 matches this season.
Jurgen Klopp however rested Sadio Mane at the weekend, which excites me because Mane has been one of Liverpool’s best players this season and I can see him proving the difference against a high-scoring Salzburg team.
Prediction: Red Bull Salzburg 2-3 Liverpool
Result: Red Bull Salzburg 0-2 Liverpool