Champions League team news and prediction: Liverpool vs RB Leipzig
Mistakes proved to be RB Leipzig's downfall in the first leg and they face a mountainous task if they are to get the better of Liverpool here. The German side, though, have won their last three away league matches 3-0, a result that would be enough to secure a spot in the quarter-finals.
Liverpool have been in dire form and a 1-0 defeat to Fulham on Sunday extended their home losing streak to eight matches. Away from Anfield, they'll look for a repeat of the first leg tie where they returned to England from Hungary with a 2-0 win.
Ahead of this Champions League clash, we provide all the need-to-know pre-match information, including what time the match kicks off, where to watch this game, team news and probable XIs.
When is kick off?
Wednesday 10th March, 20:00 GMT
Where is the match?
Puskas Arena, Hungary
Where can I watch it?
BT Sport 2
Due to travel restrictions, the first leg was played at the Puskas Arena, with the same happening for the second leg. Liverpool were the designated 'away' team last month and secured a fine first leg advantage at RB Leipzig's expense. Two goals in the space of five second half minutes handed the Reds a 2-0 win and a pair of vital away goals means they hold their quarter-final hopes in their hands.
Mohamed Salah put the Reds ahead shortly after the restart, capitalising on a Marcel Sabitzer mistake to open the scoring. Sadio Mane doubled Liverpool's advantage through another RB Leipzig error, this time by Nordi Mukiele, to leave the German side with an uphill task in their bid to progress to the next round of the Champions League.
Team News
There's no change to Jurgen Klopp's confirmed absentees, with Joel Matip, Joe Gomez, Jordan Henderson and Virgil van Dijk all sidelined. Ozan Kabak and Roberto Firmino both missed the 1-0 loss to Fulham on Sunday, with the latter the more likely of the the two to recover in time to feature, which means one of Rhys Williams or Nathaniel Phillips will partner Fabinho in defence. Caoimhin Kelleher is a doubt, but would not have started.
A huge blow for RB Leipzig is the absence of Angelino. The Spaniard hasn't featured since a 3-0 win at Hertha Berlin last month due to a persistent muscle injury, which makes Marcel Halstenberg's return to training all the more important with the Germany international the likeliest to deputise at left wing-back. Willi Orban will be assessed, but Konrad Laimer and Dominik Szoboszlai remain absent. Marcel Sabitzer missed the weekend's 3-0 win at Freiburg due to a ban, however is available.
Probable XIs
Liverpool (433) - Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Fabinho, Robertson; Thiago, Wijnaldum, Jones; Jota, Salah, Mane
RB Leipzig (352) - Gulacsi; Mukiele, Upamecano, Klostermann; Adams, Sabitzer, Kampl, Olmo, Halstenberg; Sorloth, Nkunku
Key Battle - Fabinho vs Dayot Upamecano
Having been converted from a midfielder to a centre-back this season due to Liverpool's ongoing injury crisis at the back, Fabinho has excelled. The Reds miss his bite in the middle of the park, but he has filled in exceptionally at the heart of the backline and that has helped Jurgen Klopp's side reach this stage of the Champions League. His first leg absence didn't prove costly, but Fabinho's availability is a welcome boost.
Liverpool were one of the rumoured interested sides in Dayot Upamecano before he elected to swap Leipzig for Munich at the end of the season and the Frenchman is hoping to bow out on a high. The Frenchman's performances in the Champions League have left little to the imagination, but Upamecano remains one of the promising centre-backs on the continent and he'll be looking to prove why tonight.
Score Prediction - Liverpool 1-2 RB Leipzig
