As we head into the final match day of the UEFA Champions League group stage, the reigning holders have yet to book passage to through to the knockout round. They’ll travel to RB Salzburg Tuesday night, needing at least a draw to secure a place in the round of 16. They can also move on if Napoli lose at home to Genk.
Going up against Erling Braut Haaland, one of the hottest young commodities in world football today, due to his prolific goal scoring abilities, the Reds will need their defense to be at their best. Central defender Joel Matip remains out for a couple weeks yet still, with another centre back, Dejan Lovren, having been forced early in the 3-0 win at AFC Bournemouth.
However, it is thought that his injury is not serious. Meanwhile midfielders Adam Lallana and Georginio Wijnaldum also missed the weekend win due to knocks. Both are expected to be available for selection in this one.
The Reds will also be without a couple more long term injury absentees, Fabinho and Nathaniel Clyne. The first and only meeting between the two sides, back in early October at Anfield, resulted in a 4-3 win for the hosts.
Liverpool FC vs RB Salzburg UCL Group Stage FYIs
Liverpool Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Kickoff: Dec. 10, 5:55 pm Red Bull Arena Salzburg
Form Guide: Liverpool- DWWWL RB Salzburg- WDLLW
Odds: 20/23 Liverpool win, 16/5 draw, 29/10 RB Salzburg victory
Google’s result probability: 52% Liverpool win, 23% draw, 25% RB Salzburg victory
Prediction: Liverpool FC 5, RB Salzburg 4
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
You can follow Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com on Twitter here and his cat on Instagram at this link.