Liverpool vs Lille OSC – Match Preview and team news

The Football Faithful

·21. Januar 2025

Liverpool vs Lille OSC – Match Preview and team news

Liverpool welcome Lille OSC to Merseyside tonight knowing they could seal their progression into the knockout stages of the Uefa Champions League.

A point against the French outfit will guarantee the Reds a place in the last 16 of the competition.

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Arne Slot’s side have been perfect in Europe this season, winning all six of their matches. However, they face a Lille side that have already beaten Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in recent months.

Diogo Jota missed the weekend’s action and isn’t expected to return for a number of weeks. Joe Gomez is Liverpool’s only other notable absentee as he is out with a hamstring injury.

For Lille, youngsters Tiago Santos and Matias Fernandez-Pardo are both in different stages of recovery from ligament injuries. Samuel Umtiti hasn’t featured this term due to injury while Edon Zhegrova is sidelined with a muscular issue.

Liverpool vs Lille – Match Preview and team news

Form

Liverpool: DLWDW

Liverpool left it late against Brentford on Saturday as they struck twice in second-half stoppage time. A quick-fire brace from substitute Darwin Nunez restored their six-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

The Merseyside-based club have performed impeccably in Europe with a maximum points return from six games. During that run, they have only conceded on one occasion, a third-minute goal in the opening game against AC Milan.

Since then, their net hasn’t been breached in 571 minutes of European football. This defensive solidity has helped them overcome the likes of Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and Milan to top the table.

Read – Slot reveals when Darwin is ‘at his best’ for Liverpool

Lille: WDDDW

Lille are currently on an astounding 21-game unbeaten run, stretching all the way back to September. Their last defeat actually came in Europe away to Sporting CP, with a 2-0 defeat in Lisbon.

Bruno Genesio’s outfit had to qualify for the competition through the qualification process. Their journey has been breathtaking, with famous wins over both Madrid clubs. A positive result at Anfield would be a huge step in advancing into the knockout stages.

In Ligue 1, Lille are in third place after fending off Nice on the weekend with a 2-1 win at the Decathlon Arena.

Read – Liverpool predicted XI vs Lille ahead of Champions League clash

Last Meeting

Liverpool 3-0 Lille, Europa League, 18th March 2010

The last time Liverpool faced Lille at Anfield was nearly 15 years ago when the Reds comfortably beat their French counterparts 3-0. Les Dogues had won the first leg of the last-16 clash 1-0 courtesy of an unstoppable Eden Hazard free-kick.

Liverpool would level the tie inside the opening ten minutes with Steven Gerrard dispatching a penalty. Lucas Leiva had weaved past a few defenders before being chopped down inside the area and his skipper converted the spot-kick.

Rafa Benitez’s side took control of the tie shortly after the interval. Fernando Torres cleverly dinked the onrushing goalkeeper Mickael Landreau. The Spaniard doubled his tally in the closing stages to secure Liverpool’s spot in the last eight. Gerrard’s shot was too strong for Landreau to handle and Torres composed himself before firing in.

Liverpool were knocked out of the Europa League by eventual winners Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals.

Read – Liverpool dubbed ‘the best team in the world’

Predicted Line-ups

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Jones, Diaz, Nunez.

Lille XI: Chevalier, Meunier, Diakite, Ribeiro, Ismaily; Andre, Gomes; Bakker, Haraldsson, Sahraoui, David.

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off at Anfield will be at 20:00 GMT on Tuesday 21st January 2025.

Who is the referee?

German referee Felix Zwayer will be the match official. Robert Kempter and Christian Dietz will assist him while Florian Badstubner will be the fourth official. Bastian Dankert will be the VAR and Soren Storks will be his assistant.