Liverpool have control of their Champions League group and, with the right results, can all but completely clinch advancement through from the group stage. Ahead, though, is a tough meeting in Serbia against Red Star Belgrade, were Napoli mustered just a 0-0 draw and a single point. The last meeting was a 4-0 victory for the Reds, but the away match figures to be much tougher.
Team News:
The big news that is drawing the headlines is the leaving out of Xherdan Shaqiri due to what can accurately be called a blend of sports and politics. Shaqiri is of Kosovar Albanian heritage, despite playing for the Swiss national team (where he and his family emigrated to when he was just a year old) and drew heat when holding up an Albanian eagle symbol with his hands after scoring a late-winner against Serbia in the World Cup. Due to concerns for the player's safety, Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Shaqiri would be left back in Liverpool for his own safety and the safety of the team as a whole. This would have been a nice opportunity for Shaqiri to pick up some more playing time, but safety must come first. It is disappointing that threats of violence still exist in world football today, however.
In a more positive note, Naby Keita is back fit and available for selection for the starting eleven. The midfield man is back in full training and could offer a crucial bit of depth for Jurgen Klopp to choose from in his midfield. Also returning is Dejan Lovren, who missed out last match against Arsenal (a 1-1 draw) has been in good form when playing, but Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez have just been too solid of a pairing to leave out for too long. Perhaps we could see more of Gomez at right back, though, with Lovren in center back. Klopp also alluded to Lovren and Joel Matip both getting more chances to shine even despite the strong play of the current first choice center backs.
In terms of misses, Jordan Henderson remains sidelined back at Melwood where he will work back to full fitness before the weekend's bout with Fulham. Klopp mentioned he wanted Henderson to get two full training sessions under his belt before the weekend, which would happen with Shaqiri and, if he returns from his illness, Nathaniel Clyne, who will also miss out on a trip to Belgrade.
For Red Star Belgrade, they will be happy to return their three key men who missed the Anfield league of the group stage: Marko Marin on the wing, Vujadin Savic in defense, and Milan Rodic at left back. All three will be back in contention to start, but star striker Richmond Boakye has not played since the Anfield leg and seemed in poor health that match as well. He is almost surely set to miss out and will likely be supplanted by Milan Pavkov in terms of leading the line.
Projected Liverpool Line-Up: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Milner, Keita; Mane, Sturridge, Firmino
Projected Red Star Belgrade Line-Up: Borjan; Gobeljic, Savic, Degenek, Rodic; Krsticic, Jovicic; Ben, Srnic, Marin; Pavkov
Previewing the Match:
This will be slightly abridged, simply because I just did a review for the Serbian side that you can view in which the match preview (excluding portions referencing Boakye) are very relevant. You can check it out for yourself right here. But there are two things I would like to delve into, the Liverpool squad itself, and the atmosphere. Let's start with the latter.
Belgrade are famous for their atmosphere, as you surely should have been able to infer by the fact that Xherdan Shaqiri is missed out due to crowd concerns. They will be loud all game, they will make life miserable for the Liverpool players (they hope), and they are loyal to their players. The noise in the stadium may be key in the match. Liverpool have had famous nights at Anfield able to play into their hands with an awed crowd, the key must now be to not play into Belgrade's hands. As of now, they seem certain to take fourth, last place, in the group. A point off Napoli and a point of Liverpool would not be a bad group at all for a fourth-placed side. I picked Daniel Sturridge because I think he will be able to bring a calm confidence to the side while rest Mo Salah. I think it will be necessary to start off quickly, snag an early goal, and see how the players and the crowd responds. If Liverpool dally and allow the crowd to get into it by giving Belgrade an early chance or two, their day may just be a bit longer than they'd have hoped.
Speaking of the Liverpool side, this is a golden chance for them to take a commanding group lead while Napoli and PSG do battle elsewhere. The key to me will be who starts in midfield. The availability of Keita combined with some Fabinho struggles plus fixture accumulation leads me to think that the 4-3-3 will be back in order for this Liverpool side. Especially when you consider Shaqiri's absence, I think a high-pressing 4-3-3 with Firmino, Mane, and Sturridge all playing at a similar height up the pitch should be able to put enough pressure on the Belgrade defenders to allow them no opportunity to get anything forward to the double-pivot deeper in the midfield. If Andy Robertson can continue his excellent form and Trent Alexander-Arnold can return back to the form he has shown, I really do favor Liverpool quite heavily here.
Score Prediction: Liverpool 3: Red Star Belgrade 1:
I would be more surprised if Liverpool held a clean sheet than if they allow a goal. Not because I doubt the poise of Liverpool's defense, but I do believe that this should still be straightforward. The attacking firepower of Liverpool should be plenty enough to see Liverpool through to six points out of six against their Serbian opposition.
Follow me on Twitter @RMAB_Ryan for more LFC coverage, including live Tweets during the matches, as well as AFC Ann Arbor and Michigan basketball coverage!
Team News:
The big news that is drawing the headlines is the leaving out of Xherdan Shaqiri due to what can accurately be called a blend of sports and politics. Shaqiri is of Kosovar Albanian heritage, despite playing for the Swiss national team (where he and his family emigrated to when he was just a year old) and drew heat when holding up an Albanian eagle symbol with his hands after scoring a late-winner against Serbia in the World Cup. Due to concerns for the player's safety, Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Shaqiri would be left back in Liverpool for his own safety and the safety of the team as a whole. This would have been a nice opportunity for Shaqiri to pick up some more playing time, but safety must come first. It is disappointing that threats of violence still exist in world football today, however.
In a more positive note, Naby Keita is back fit and available for selection for the starting eleven. The midfield man is back in full training and could offer a crucial bit of depth for Jurgen Klopp to choose from in his midfield. Also returning is Dejan Lovren, who missed out last match against Arsenal (a 1-1 draw) has been in good form when playing, but Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez have just been too solid of a pairing to leave out for too long. Perhaps we could see more of Gomez at right back, though, with Lovren in center back. Klopp also alluded to Lovren and Joel Matip both getting more chances to shine even despite the strong play of the current first choice center backs.
In terms of misses, Jordan Henderson remains sidelined back at Melwood where he will work back to full fitness before the weekend's bout with Fulham. Klopp mentioned he wanted Henderson to get two full training sessions under his belt before the weekend, which would happen with Shaqiri and, if he returns from his illness, Nathaniel Clyne, who will also miss out on a trip to Belgrade.
For Red Star Belgrade, they will be happy to return their three key men who missed the Anfield league of the group stage: Marko Marin on the wing, Vujadin Savic in defense, and Milan Rodic at left back. All three will be back in contention to start, but star striker Richmond Boakye has not played since the Anfield leg and seemed in poor health that match as well. He is almost surely set to miss out and will likely be supplanted by Milan Pavkov in terms of leading the line.
Projected Liverpool Line-Up: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Wijnaldum, Milner, Keita; Mane, Sturridge, Firmino
Projected Red Star Belgrade Line-Up: Borjan; Gobeljic, Savic, Degenek, Rodic; Krsticic, Jovicic; Ben, Srnic, Marin; Pavkov
Previewing the Match:
This will be slightly abridged, simply because I just did a review for the Serbian side that you can view in which the match preview (excluding portions referencing Boakye) are very relevant. You can check it out for yourself right here. But there are two things I would like to delve into, the Liverpool squad itself, and the atmosphere. Let's start with the latter.
Belgrade are famous for their atmosphere, as you surely should have been able to infer by the fact that Xherdan Shaqiri is missed out due to crowd concerns. They will be loud all game, they will make life miserable for the Liverpool players (they hope), and they are loyal to their players. The noise in the stadium may be key in the match. Liverpool have had famous nights at Anfield able to play into their hands with an awed crowd, the key must now be to not play into Belgrade's hands. As of now, they seem certain to take fourth, last place, in the group. A point off Napoli and a point of Liverpool would not be a bad group at all for a fourth-placed side. I picked Daniel Sturridge because I think he will be able to bring a calm confidence to the side while rest Mo Salah. I think it will be necessary to start off quickly, snag an early goal, and see how the players and the crowd responds. If Liverpool dally and allow the crowd to get into it by giving Belgrade an early chance or two, their day may just be a bit longer than they'd have hoped.
Speaking of the Liverpool side, this is a golden chance for them to take a commanding group lead while Napoli and PSG do battle elsewhere. The key to me will be who starts in midfield. The availability of Keita combined with some Fabinho struggles plus fixture accumulation leads me to think that the 4-3-3 will be back in order for this Liverpool side. Especially when you consider Shaqiri's absence, I think a high-pressing 4-3-3 with Firmino, Mane, and Sturridge all playing at a similar height up the pitch should be able to put enough pressure on the Belgrade defenders to allow them no opportunity to get anything forward to the double-pivot deeper in the midfield. If Andy Robertson can continue his excellent form and Trent Alexander-Arnold can return back to the form he has shown, I really do favor Liverpool quite heavily here.
Score Prediction: Liverpool 3: Red Star Belgrade 1:
I would be more surprised if Liverpool held a clean sheet than if they allow a goal. Not because I doubt the poise of Liverpool's defense, but I do believe that this should still be straightforward. The attacking firepower of Liverpool should be plenty enough to see Liverpool through to six points out of six against their Serbian opposition.
Follow me on Twitter @RMAB_Ryan for more LFC coverage, including live Tweets during the matches, as well as AFC Ann Arbor and Michigan basketball coverage!
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