Champions League: Liverpool vs. Red Bull Salzburg
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 2
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Anfield (Liverpool, England)
TV channel: Galavision
Odds: Liverpool -350 | Red Bull Salzburg +825 | Draw +500
TV : on TV at 8:00pm on BT Sport on Wednesday evening.
Liverpool’s defence of the Champions League trophy got off to a rocky start when they paid a visit to Naples last month. Jurgen Klopp’s men suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat at the hands of Napoli, but they will be confident of returning to winning ways on Wednesday.
That loss is Liverpool’s only defeat of the season so far, with 8 of their 10 competitive games ending in victory. This emphatic start has returned the UEFA Super Cup in their trophy cabinet, as well as putting them top of the Premier League table.
One thing that has been a bit lacking from Liverpool’s standpoint is the defensive rigidity that served them so well last season. They have conceded in 7 of their 10 games this season, and they’re facing a visiting side with an eye for goal on Wednesday.
The Austrian side have scored a ridiculous 55 goals in their 12 competitive games this season and thrashed Genk 6-2 in their Champions League opener a few weeks back. Admittedly, all of these goals came against inferior opposition to Liverpool, but it’s clear they carry significant attacking threat.
RB Salzburg haven’t failed to score in any competitive fixture since March and have found the net in 13 of their last 15 Champions League matches. Considering Liverpool’s recent defensive record, they will fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet here.
Liverpool vs Red Bull Salzburg Tips and Predictions
Both teams to score is offered at just 8/15 (1.53) but combining this with a home win pays out at the far more appealing 11/10 (2.10) with bet365.
The goalscoring prowess of both sides should yield plenty of action at Anfield but it is difficult to see Jurgen Klopp’s side not prevailing at home once again.
Liverpool Team News
Aside from Alisson (and Nathaniel Clyne if you’re keeping score at home), Xherdan Shaqiri is the only guaranteed absence for Klopp. Sadio Mané and James Milner have both recovered from minor injuries this week and are in contention for the midweek game. Liverpool are reportedly growing ‘increasingly fearful’ of boss Jurgen Klopp being poached by the German national side, and succumbing to the desire to manage his country. Klopp currently has three years remaining on his Anfield contract – running until 2022 – but is yet to commit to any form of further extension.
Red Bull Salzburg Team News
Sekou Koita got a brace while Majeed Ashimeru found the net once in Red Bull Salzburg’s 4-1 thrashing of FK Austria Wien in Saturday’s Austrian Bundesliga fixture. Having gone a goal down at Red Bull Arena following Albert Vallci’s third minute own goal, Die Mozartstadter responded to maintain their imposing start this season. Ghana international Ashimeru levelled scores in the 33rd minute, before Koita put his team ahead two minutes from that half-time break. Masaya Okugawa made it 3-1 for Salzburg 10 minutes from restart before the Malian’s second strike of the encounter finished off the Violets.
Salzburg lead the league with 25 points from nine matches.
Predicted line-ups
Liverpool: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Milner, Henderson; Salah, Firmino, Mane
RB Salzburg: Stankovic; Kristensen, Ramalho, Wober, Ulmer; Szoboszlai, Junuzovic, Mwepu, Minamino; Hwang, Haaland
