RB Leipzig will host Liverpool in a UEFA Champions League tie at the Red Bull Arena on Wednesday, looking to pick up their first win of the campaign.
RB Leipzig are coming into the game against Liverpool on Wednesday on the back of two consecutive defeats in the UEFA Champions League, and they will be desperate to bounce back strongly.
The home side have a poor record against Liverpool, and it remains to be seen whether they can make amends. There is no doubt that Marco Rose has a talented squad at his disposal, and his charges could easily pull off an important result here.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have picked up two wins from their two games in the UEFA Champions League this season, and they will be full of confidence heading into this contest. The Reds have picked up six wins from their last six matches in all competitions.
The away are coming into this game on the back of a close but crucial win over Chelsea, and they will be reasonably confident of grinding out a good result here. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
RB Leipzig
The home side have a number of fitness problems to deal with. Nicolas Seiwald has a groin injury, David Raum has ligament damage, Assan Ouedraogo has a knee injury, and Xaver Schlager is ruled out with an ACL issue.
RB Leipzig will shape up in a 3-4-1-2 formation against Liverpool, with Peter Gulacsi in goal. The central defensive unit will witness Lukas Klostermann starting alongside Willi Orban and Castello Lukeba.
Lutharel Geertruida and Antonio Nusa will start as the wing-backs. They will look to help out in the final third and protect the team defensively. Arthur Veerman will start alongside Amadou Haidara in the central midfield pairing. They will look to keep things compact and break down the opposition’s attacking moves.
Xavi Simons will start in the number ten role, and he will look to link up with the strikers and open up goalscoring opportunities. Finally, Lois Openda will lead the line for RB Leipzig alongside Benjamin Sesko.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Gulacsi; Klostermann, Orban, Lukeba; Geertruida, Veerman, Haidara, Nusa; Simons; Openda, Sesko
Liverpool
Harvey Elliott has a foot injury, while Alisson Becker is recovering from a hamstring issue. Federico Chiesa and Diogo Jota could miss out with knocks. Liverpool are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Caoimhin Kelleher in goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will start as the full-backs. They will look to help out at both ends of the pitch. Ibrahima Konate will start alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch will add creativity and control to the side from the deep. They will look to keep things compact defensively as well. Dominik Szoboszlai will look to create goalscoring opportunities in the final third, and he will add drive to the side. Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz will add pace, flair and goals from the flanks, with Darwin Nunez leading the line.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Nunez
Key Stats
- Liverpool have kept a clean sheet in their last three matches against RB Leipzig in all competitions.
- Liverpool have won their last three matches against RB Leipzig in all competitions.
- Liverpool have scored at least two goals in their last three matches against RB Leipzig in all competitions.
- Liverpool have won their last six matches in all competitions.
- RB Leipzig have picked up just three wins from their last six outings across all competitions.
Player to Watch
Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian is the key player to watch out for. Salah was outstanding against Chelsea, and he managed to get on the score sheet and create the winning goal of the game. He will look to influence the game in the final third with his creativity and goalscoring ability. RB Leipzig have been quite vulnerable in recent weeks, and they could struggle to contain Salah.
Prediction
RB Leipzig 1-2 Liverpool
The Bundesliga outfit will be desperate to pick up their first win of the UEFA Champions League campaign at home. The fans will be expecting a strong reaction from the players, and this will be a close contest.
Liverpool have the better team, and they have the form and momentum with them as well heading into the game against RB Leipzig. They will be expected to grind out all three points, but a close contest is on the cards. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Arne Slot and his charges.
