Out-of-form Liverpool will make travel to Budapest for the first leg clash with Leipzig in the round-of-16 tie of Champions League 2020-21.
Match Timing: Feb 17, 1:30 AM IST
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Champions League action is back this week and Liverpool and Leipzig will play each other in the first leg encounter at Puskas Stadium. Liverpool entered into the Champions League 2020-21 as the Premier League winner but coming into the final stage of the competition, they lost the opportunity to defend its title. Man City has tightened its position on top and they are the potential contender to lift the title of England’s top-flight. Klopp's side will now look for better results in Champions League. After finding themselves eliminated in FA Cup and League Cup, Champions League is the only silverware, Kloop can add to his trophy cabinet.
Liverpool have won this competition five times but their recent form questions their caliber to go past the last 16 this edition. The Reds have won just five of their 15 games across all competitions and since their last group game in UEFA, Liverpool lost six matches. Klopp's side is entering into this fixture with three consecutive defeats. In a previous PL meeting with Leicester City, Reds increased its margin with City to 13 points.
Meanwhile, this is the third appearance for Leipzig and they made it into the semifinals of the last edition. Leipzig cracked the knock out stage with pure perfection. The German outfit defeated United in the last tie to stand second to PSG in their respective group. They also conceded 12 goals during this run which a bad record for any team this season. Nagelsmann’s side has been consistent in past weeks, losing just twice in 13 games across all competitions and they also kept nine clean sheets during this run. The German outfit have won each of their last four games. In the previous outing at Bundesliga, they edged past Augsburg 2-1 on Friday. Leipzig are five points adrift of Bayern Munich in Bundesliga 2020-21.
Liverpool are unbeaten in their previous 10 meetings with German clubs and they have won 15 of their last 17 two-legged clashes against a Bundesliga side. It will be the first competitive meeting between Liverpool and Leipzig. The German club faced an English opponent twice in the Champions League and out of three ties, they emerged victorious three times. James Milner picked up a hamstring injury against Leicester City, and he is going to miss this game. Ben Davies has also been ruled out due to a knock. Fabinho will be unavailable one more time. For Leipzig, Justin Kluivert will be back to play some part against Liverpool.
Possible Lineups & Current Form
RB Leipzig
Gulacsi; Mukiele, Upamecano, Klostermann; Adams, Sabiter, Kampl, Olmo, Angelino; Poulsen, Nkunku
Current Form: W L W W W W
Previous Match: 2-1 victory to Augsburg
Liverpool
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Kabak, Henderson, Robertson; Thiago, Wijnaldum, Jones; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Current Form: L W W L L L
Previous Match: 3-1 defeat to Leicester (PL)
Key Players
RB Leipzig
Angelino
4 goals in Bundesliga 2020-21
Nkunku
4 goals in Bundesliga 2020-21
Liverpool
Moh Salah
17 goals in Premier League 2020-21
Sadio Mane
7 goals in Premier League 2020-21
