Leipzig to compound Liverpool's downward spiral
Liverpool head into their Champions League second leg clash with RB Leipzig two goals to the good, having got the better of their opponents during the first fixture on their travels. The tie has been switched from Anfield to Budapest because of the COVID-19 restrictions, which might actually come as a relief to the hosts. Their home form is the worst it's been in generations, and they lost further ground on the European places at the weekend, losing to struggling Fulham 1-0. The pressure is arguably more on them than Die Roten Bullen, who could yet claw back the deficit over 90 minutes or more. Read our preview here:
Nat the best time for a debut
Both Roberto Firmino and, more crucially given the context, Schalke 04 loanee Ozan Kabak missed the defeat to the Cottagers last time out, and it's a calculated risk as to whether Jürgen Klopp includes them in the XI on Wednesday evening. Diogo Jota is back fit, and looked the sharpest of the forwards in that outing. Having no Kabak would once again cruelly expose the lack of senior centre backs available for the run-in, and whilst Fabinho and to a lesser degree Jordan Henderson have deputised there, it's far from ideal in the medium term, as has been proven time and again. Nat Phillips could get the nod, and whilst there's nothing he's particularly weak on ability-wise, he lacks experience on the biggest stage. Leipzig have to come out to attack Liverpool, and the pressure's going to be on the makeshift back four to stay much firmer than they have done in 2021 thus far.
Olmo there
That loss to Liverpool remains Leipzig's only blip from their last nine matches in all competitions; in the vast majority of the others, they've dominated their adversaries. Their routine 3-0 win away at Freiburg on Saturday kept them within touching distance of free-scoring Bayern Munich at the summit of the Bundesliga, but head coach Julien Nagelsmann will be all too aware that his otherwise steadfast defence will have to be at their best to stifle the Reds' chances of getting even a single goal that would make their task that much tougher. Further upfield, the creative responsibility in central areas will mostly fall on Dani Olmo's shoulders. The Spanish playmaker is the beating heart of the 3-5-2, but to date, he hasn't quite been able to translate his domestic efficacy into continental competition. There would be no better time to start than on Wednesday, and he should bypass Thiago on his side with some ease.
Klopped it
This really is crunch time for Liverpool and Klopp. The previous three terms have seen unbelievable highs, which were the envy of every other side in the Premier League and well beyond the British Isles. There was probably always going to be a comedown of sorts, but very few would've predicted it would be this pronounced. Only an almighty reversal of fortunes in the top tier will see them qualify for next season's competition; even the Europa League looks well beyond them at present. Their best bet is to win the trophy at the end of this campaign, but few have real confidence they can do it. Expect RB Leipzig to take full advantage of that; 888sport have them at 7.00 to qualify, which won't be easy, but if it's going to happen, it will be on Wednesday.
