RB Leipzig vs Liverpool
UEFA Champions League
Date: Tuesday, 16 February 2021
Kick-off at 20:00 UK/ 21:00 CET
Venue: Puskás Aréna.
All eyes will be on Red Bull Arena when Leipzig and Liverpool go head to head in the Champions League last 16, first leg.
The #ChampionsLeague is back next week 😍#UCL pic.twitter.com/shNo1px27Z
— Match Day (@Match__Daay) February 14, 2021
The Red Bulls are eyeing their fifth consecutive win in all competitions, and they are eager to eliminate yet another Premier League side in the Champions League after beating Manchester United in the Group H decider.
Since Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann can count on key players for Tuesday’s clash, we are positive that the hosts will find the net in the first leg.
Dominik Szboboszlai is sidelined with injury, while Konrad Laimer, Benjamin Henrichs, and Emil Forsberg are all rated doubtful for the game.
The Reds, on the other hand, aim to make amends for the Premier League defeat to Leicester City, and given their attacking potential, both teams to score betting option should be considered.
Keita, Van Dijk, Jota, and Gomez remain out of contention with injuries, while Fabinho, Davies, and Miler are all rated doubtful for the game.
RB Leipzig vs Liverpool Head-to-head (h2h)
Teams RasenBallsport Leipzig Liverpool played so far 0 matches.
RB Leipzig vs Liverpool Prediction
RasenBallsport Leipzig in actual season average scored 1.90 goals per match. In 13 (81.25%) matches played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 10 (62.50%) matches in season 2021 played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Liverpool average scored 2.16 goals per match in season 2021. In 17 (85.00%) matches played away was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 12 (60.00%) matches played away team was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Team News:
Liverpool could be without as many as 10 first-team players for this match as their never-ending injury troubles continue to deepen.
James Milner was the latest to be struck down when he picked up a hamstring injury 17 minutes in to the weekend defeat to Leicester City, and he is expected to miss this game as a result.
Liverpool's options had further been depleted prior to their trip to the King Power Stadium, with new signing Ben Davies ruled out due to a knock and Divock Origi and Caoimhin Kelleher both absent too.
Davies and Origi have both since returned to training and so could be in contention for this match, while Naby Keita is also now training with his teammates again, although this match against his former club will come too soon after two months out.
Fabinho will be assessed after missing the Leicester match with a "small muscle issue", although his absence from training on Monday suggests that he will be unavailable once again.
On top of that, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Diogo Jota all remain sidelined for the Premier League outfit.
Klopp is expected to keep faith with Alisson Becker despite another mistake at the weekend, while Thiago Alcantara should return to the starting XI.
Leipzig were able to welcome rumoured Liverpool target Ibrahima Konate back into their side on Friday night and he could be involved again alongside Dayot Upamecano, who was also linked with Liverpool but has now agreed terms to join Bayern Munich.
Justin Kluivert made the bench on Friday night too and so could play some part against the Reds, but this match is expected to come too soon for Emil Forsberg, Konrad Laimer, Benjamin Henrichs and Dominik Szoboszlai, the latter of whom is yet to make his debut for Leipzig since joining in January.
Tuesday will also see Peter Gulacsi face his former club, having spent five years at Liverpool without making a senior appearance.
RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:
Gulacsi; Mukiele, Upamecano, Klostermann; Adams, Sabiter, Kampl, Olmo, Angelino; Poulsen, Nkunku
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Kabak, Henderson, Robertson; Thiago, Wijnaldum, Jones; Salah, Firmino, Mane