RB Leipzig vs Liverpool – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Liverpool make the trip to Germany to face RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.

The Reds have attained maximum points thus far in the competition, whilst their opponents are yet to get off the mark after two tough defeats.

Lois Openda is a doubt for the hosts after the Belgian picked up a knock at the weekend at Mainz.

For Liverpool, Diogo Jota has not travelled with the squad after being withdrawn from the weekend win over Chelsea. He joins Alisson, Federico Chiesa, Harvey Elliott and Conor Bradley on a growing list of absentees.

RB Leipzig vs Liverpool – Match preview and team news

Form

RB Leipzig: DWLWW

Leipzig sit second in the Bundesliga, level on points with leaders Bayern Munich who have an identical record but far superior goal difference.

Their undefeated start to the league campaign is a stark contrast to their Champions League exploits, as they have lost their opening two games, albeit to tough opposition.

On Matchday One, their hearts were broken in the final minute of normal time. A late header from Jose Gimenez saw Atletico Madrid turn around a deficit to win 2-1 after Benjamin Sesko had opened the scoring for Leipzig inside five minutes.

Their fortunes did not improve in their following European contest, as Juventus staged a stunning comeback despite goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio’s red card. The Italians were 2-1 down at the time of the dismissal but fought back to claim a 3-2 win.

Leipzig collapsed in front of their home fans, as stunning efforts from Dusan Vlahovic and Francisco Conceicao saw the Germans surrender another lead.

Remarkably, in the league Leipzig have only conceded twice all season and are on a run of five consecutive clean sheets.

Liverpool: WWWWW

Arne Slot’s stirring record in the Liverpool dugout was extended at the weekend, as his side overcame Chelsea in a statement victory at Anfield.

Curtis Jones had a night to remember, as he netted the winner and won a penalty in an all-encompassing display.

A triumph in Germany will be their eighth consecutive win in all competitions. A surprising home defeat to Nottingham Forest remains the only blemish on Slot’s record as Liverpool manager.

Last Meeting: Liverpool 2-0 RB Leipzig, Champions League, 10th March 2021.

Liverpool last met RB Leipzig in the second leg of the Round of 16 stage in the 2020/21 campaign, where a 2-0 win was enough to see Jurgen Klopp’s side progress to the quarter-finals.

Both legs were played at the Puskas Arena in Hungary due to coronavirus restrictions. Liverpool were banned from entering Germany for the first leg and Leipzig did not want to quarantine – which they would have had to do if they made the trip to England – for the second leg.

After a victory in the first leg by the same scoreline, Liverpool emulated their performance in the return as goals from Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane ensured comfortable progress in Budapest.

A delightful team move culminated in Salah sliding the ball past Peter Gulasci for the opener and their advantage was doubled shortly after. Mane prodded home from a pinpoint cross from Divock Origi to guarantee Liverpool’s place in the last eight of the competition.

Predicted Lineups

RB Leipzig: Gulasci; Klostermann, Orban, Lukeba, Geertruida, Henrichs; Baumgartner, Haidara, Simons; Sesko, Poulsen

Liverpool: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Diaz, Nunez.

Who is the referee?

Swiss referee Sandro Schärer will be the match official. He will be assisted by Stéphane De Almeida and Jonas Erni while Lukas Fähndrich will be the fourth official. The VAR is Fedayi San and he will be assisted by Pol van Boekel.

What channel is RB Leipzig vs Liverpool on?

RB Leipzig vs Liverpool will be available to watch on TNT Sports 1 and Discovery+.

What time is kick off?

Kick-off at the Red Bull Arena Leipzig will be at 20:00 BST on Wednesday 23rd October 2024.

Odds

RB Leipzig – 3/1

Draw – 3/1

Liverpool – 17/20

Read – Champions League highlights: Stunning Real comeback, Villa roll on, Pulisic’s Olimpico

See more – Mohamed Salah extends incredible ‘Big Six’ record

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