MX23RW : Wednesday, February 24 08:48:53| >> :120:32031:32031:
Feb 16, 2021 at 8pm UK at Red Bull Arena
RB LeipzigRB Leipzig
0-2
LiverpoolLiverpool

Haidara (5'), Mukiele (5'), Nkunku (52'), Angelino (65'), Olmo (76')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Salah (53'), Mane (58')
Kabak (69'), Henderson (81')

How Liverpool could line up against RB Leipzig

Sports Mole looks at how Liverpool could line up for the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against RB Leipzig in Budapest.

Liverpool will be hoping that the return of the Champions League brings with it a distraction from their domestic form when they face RB Leipzig in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday.

The first ever meeting between the two clubs will take place at the Puskas Arena in Budapest due to coronavirus restrictions, and Liverpool will arrive on the back of three successive defeats.

With their Premier League title defence now in tatters, the Champions League represents their last realistic route to silverware this season, but they take on a Leipzig side in fine form with four successive wins in all competitions.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Jurgen Klopp could line his side up for the contest.



Possible LIV XI vs. RBL

Out: Virgil van Dijk (knee), Joe Gomez (knee), Joel Matip (ankle), Diogo Jota (knee), James Milner (hamstring), Caoimhin Kelleher (knock), Naby Keita (muscle), Fabinho (muscle)
Doubtful: Ben Davies (knock), Divock Origi (hamstring)

> Click here for Liverpool's latest injury and suspension news ahead of this match

Klopp could be without as many as 10 first-team players for this first leg, with their injury crisis deepening significantly within the past week.

Fabinho was ruled out of the defeat to Leicester City on Saturday after picking up a "little muscle injury", and he will need to be assessed ahead of the trip to Budapest to determine whether he is ready to return.

The nature of muscle injuries, coupled with the quick turnaround in fixtures and the fact that he missed training again on Monday, means that he remains a major doubt, which could see Ozan Kabak partner Jordan Henderson at centre-back again.

Nathaniel Phillips is now an option in the Champions League after being added to Liverpool's squad, but otherwise centre-back options are very slim, with new arrival Ben Davies picking up a knock in training which makes him a doubt for this one.

Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all remain sidelined for the long term, while this match is also expected to come too soon for Diogo Jota, Caoimhin Kelleher and James Milner, the latter of whom limped off against Leicester on Saturday.

Thiago Alcantara should return to the starting XI in Milner's place, while Klopp will keep faith with Alisson Becker despite another mistake at the weekend.

There are other midfield options available should Klopp look to shake things up, with Xherdan Shaqiri and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain among those knocking on the door, but Naby Keita will miss out against his former club despite now being back in training after almost two months out.

Divock Origi and Davies also returned to training on Monday and so could be involved, while Keita could be in contention for the Merseyside derby at the weekend.

ID:435239:cQx:QQ:

How you voted: RB Leipzig vs Liverpool

RB Leipzig
56.2%
Draw
13.2%
Liverpool
30.7%
933
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City25185250153559
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd25147453322149
3Leicester CityLeicester25154644271749
4West Ham UnitedWest Ham25136639291045
5Chelsea25127641251643
6Liverpool25117745341140
7Everton2412483733440
8Aston Villa23113937261136
9Tottenham HotspurSpurs24106837271036
10Leeds UnitedLeeds25112124343035
11Arsenal25104113126534
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2596102632-633
13Crystal Palace2595112943-1432
14Southampton2586113143-1230
15Burnley2577111830-1228
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2551192632-626
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2574142643-1725
18Fulham25410112132-1122
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2528151955-3614
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2532201541-2611

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