Red Bull Salzburg vs Liverpool Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Red Bull Salzburg:
Stankovic; Kristensen, Onguene, Wober, Ulmer; Mwepu, Junuzovic, Szoboszlai, Minamino; Daka, Haaland
Liverpool:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Lallana, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Red Bull Salzburg and Liverpool will face in the most interesting match of Group E. If Liverpool beat the Austrians, then they will go through as group winners with Napoli in second place. If this contest finishes in a draw, Liverpool will qualify for the knock-out stage, but possibly in second place, as Napoli should beat Genk. Red Bull Salzburg need a victory to secure the Last 16. Jesse Marsch's team are definitely able to win here. The Norwegian golden-boy Erling Braut Haland is their key player in the Champions League. He has scored in every group game this season, registering an impressive eight goals in the competition. Only Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich has scored more Champions League goals than Halland. The 19-year-old has attracted attention from many big European clubs and it seems he will change the shirt next Summer, or maybe even earlier. However, Salzburg need to improve the defense if they want to win. Stopping the deadly attacking trio of Salah, Mane and Firmino could be crucial for their ambitions. Of course, that will be easier said than done - Red Bull have received 11 goals in five group matches so far and failed to register a single clean sheet. The hosts have three injured players - Sekou Koita, Patrick Farkas and Antoine Bernede are sidelined, but goalkeeper Cican Stankovic is now available after overcoming a thigh injury.
Liverpool are first in Group E with 10 points, but could be eliminated with a defeat here. The Reds had lot of problems with Napoli and won just one of the possible six points in two matches against the Italians. Jurgen Klopp's men suffered a 2:0 defeat in the opening match of the group at Stadio San Paolo, but then won three in a row. The Reds beat Red Bull Salzburg with 4:3 at Anfield, while in the following two rounds Liverpool collected six points against Genk. The Merseysiders won 4:1 in Belgium and then 2:1 at Anfield. Liverpool are in good form and they come into this match having collected three points against Bournemouth on Saturday. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Mohamed Salah scored the goals at Vitality Stadium. But there is no time for celebration, everything could be spoiled if Liverpool lose in Austria. Klopp must consider rotations, particularly knowing some players are tired. But he has no options in defense. Dejan Lovren, who left out the Saturday's match due to injury, is rated as doubtful. Fabinho has suffered ankle ligament damage and he is sidelined until Cristmass. Central defender Joel Matip remain sidelined through injury. Sadio Mane was an unused substitute at Bournemouth, so it is expected to start here. Nathaniel Clyne is a long-term absentee with a knee injury.
Red Bull Salzburg vs Liverpool Prediction:
Salzburg are able to upset the reigning European Champions and they showed that on the first match at Anfield. Usually, when Liverpool lead 3:0 at home, the opponents simply give up. I can't remember some other team equalizing the result. Halland is in excellent form, but Red Bull have other good players. Patson Daka has scored 13 goals in 16 league games, while Hwang Hee-Chan and Takumi Minamino were both on the scoresheet at Anfield. Salzburg need the victory and they will attack. That means Liverpool players will have lot of space for fast counterattacks. I expect an open and efficient match.
Red Bull Salzburg vs Liverpool Pick: Over 3.5 goals @ 2.04 with SBOBET