Liverpool will travel to France for their UEFA Europa League clash against Toulouse on Thursday evening.
Liverpool managed to pick up a comprehensive win over Toulouse last month, and the home side will be looking to make amends in the Matchday 4 clash on Thursday.
Jurgen Klopp’s men are coming into the game against Toulouse on the back of a draw against Luton Town in the Premier League. So, they will be eager to bounce back strongly and get back to winning ways this midweek.
On the other hand, Toulouse are coming into the midweek fixture on the back of three defeats and two draws in their last five matches across all competitions. The home side are clearly struggling with their form and confidence right now.
So, it remains to be seen whether they can pull off a morale-boosting result against the Premier League giants at home. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Back in #UEL action on Thursday. ✈️#TFCLIV pic.twitter.com/x3pUX7WAAR
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 6, 2023
Team News & Tactics
Toulouse
The home side will be without the services of Oliver Zanden (hip), Denis Genreau (back), and Zakaria Aboukhlal (knee) due to their respective injuries. They are likely to shape up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Guillaume Restes in goal.
Mikkel Desler and Gabriel Suazo will be deployed as the full-backs, and they will look to protect the central defence and keep the Liverpool wingers quiet. Moussa Diarra will start alongside Rasmus Nicolaisen at the heart of the defence.
In the midfield, Stijn Spierings will start as the central defensive midfielder, and he will look to break up the opposition attacks and protect the central defenders. Cristian Casseres and Vincent Sierro will start alongside him and all three players will look to keep things compact in the middle of the park. Thijs Dallinga will lead the line for Toulouse, with Aron Donnum and Frank Magri on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Restes; Desler, Diarra, Nicolaisen, Suazo; Sierro, Spierings, Casseres; Donnum, Dallinga, Magri
Liverpool
The visitors will be without Thiago Alcantara (hip), Andrew Robertson (shoulder), and Stefan Bajcetic (groin). All three players are long-term absentees, and they are expected to return in the coming months.
Liverpool are likely to make changes to their starting lineup here, and Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to start in goal. Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas will be deployed as the full-backs, as the Reds shape up in a 4-3-3 formation. At the heart of the defence, Joel Matip will start alongside Jarell Quansah.
Wataru Endo is likely to return to the starting lineup as the defensive midfielder here, and he will look to protect the central defence. Harvey Elliott and Ryan Gravenberch are set to start alongside him. The two players will look to add creativity and control to the site. Cody Gakpo will lead the line for Liverpool here, with Ben Doak and Luis Diaz on either side of him.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Kelleher; Gomez, Matip, Quansah, Tsimikas; Elliott, Endo, Gravenberch; Doak, Gakpo, Diaz
Key Stats
- Liverpool have been winning at both half-time and full-time in their last three matches against Toulouse in all competitions.
- Liverpool have won their last three matches against Toulouse in all competitions.
- 11 goals have been scored in the last three matches between these two sides.
- Toulouse are winless in their last five matches across all competitions.
- Liverpool are unbeaten in their last six matches across all competitions.
Player to Watch
Ryan Gravenberch
The 21-year-old has been outstanding since he moving to the Premier League, and he has been a useful player for Liverpool whenever called upon. The Dutchman has two goals and an assist in three Europa League games this season, and he will look to make his mark against Toulouse once again.
He has shown that he can be an exceptional passer, and he has the technical attributes, flair and vision to open up defenses. Gravenberch will be expected to add creativity and craft to the Liverpool midfield and he is our key player to watch out for.
Prediction
Toulouse 1-2 Liverpool
The home side will be desperate to grind out a positive result here, and they will look to put on an improved performance. However, the gulf is class between the two teams is immense. Even if Liverpool rotate their squad, they are undoubtedly the better team here and should be able to grind out all three points eventually.
This is likely to be a close contest and a narrow win for the away side is on the cards. The Hard Tackle predicts Jurgen Klopp and his charges to come away with a 2-1 win over Toulouse on Thursday.
