RB Leipzig vs Liverpool preview: How to watch, kick-off time, predicted lineups and ones to watch

Liverpool will be heading back to the Puskás Aréna in Hungary for their Last 16 second leg against RB Leipzig.

Usually, Jurgen Klopp’s side would have the significant advantage of a full house at Anfield, but coronavirus travel restrictions mean the second leg, like the first, is being played in Budapest.

The tie will continue with the away goal rule despite both games being played in the same venue.

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The Reds come into the tie on the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Anfield on Sunday against relegation strugglers Fulham.

This will be feisty affair between two teams who are having very contrasting seasons in the Premier League and Bundesliga respectively.

RB Leipzig will be looking to take advantage of Liverpool’s poor recent run and overhaul a two-goal deficit when the sides meet on Wednesday evening.

Liverpool’s reign as European champions ended at this stage of the competition last season, when they were beaten home and away by Atletico Madrid.

Form of both sides

The first leg of this tie was the first time the two clubs have ever met in UEFA competitions.

After the last time both sides faced each other on the 16^{th of} February, Julian Nagelsmann’s side have gone on to win four league games in a row in the Bundesliga which just goes to show that they are not short of attacking quality or confidence.

They come into the game on the back of beating Freiburg 3-0 in the Bundesliga at the weekend.

This now places the German side two points behind league leaders, Bayern Munich.

After their previous meeting, Jurgen Klopp’s side currently sit eighth in the Premier League table, having lost three out of their last four league outings against Premier League opposition.

They have lost all of their last six home games after going unbeaten at Anfield for 68 consecutive matches prior to their slump. Injuries have played a major part in Liverpool's capitulation but their strikers have not been firing on all cylinders which is a major source of concern the Liverpool faithful.

Leipzig had chances of their own in the first leg and may feel that the 2-0 score line was not a fair reflection of their performance on the night. Trailing by two goals from the home leg, Leipzig face a tactical challenge in the return.

A 2-0 win is the only result that will take the match to extra time and possibly penalties, but a third goal may give them an advantage should the tie come down to away goals, so all-out attack may be their policy, especially against a Liverpool side whose confidence is fragile right now.

Team News

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Liverpool is looking strong with key players coming back to full fitness. The likes of Fabinho, Naby Keita and Diego Jota returned to the side on Sunday against Fulham.

However, Ozan Kabak and Roberto Firmino did not feature in their latest outing against Fulham due to injuries and will face late fitness tests ahead of Wednesday's game.

Fabinho came on a substitute during the Reds' 1-0 defeat to Fulham but he could well start in midfield after a long shift in defence. Injuries have disassembled Liverpool's backline and they have been forced to field 19 different centre-half partnerships this season.

Diego Jota is on the radar as the one to watch after spending nearly three months on the side-lines. The Portuguese international played a full 90 minutes on the weekend. So he could potentially lead the line for Liverpool ahead of misfiring Roberto Firmino.

Naby Keita is another Liverpool player returning from a lengthy time on the side-lines as Jurgen Klopp looks for fresh options in midfield. Keita was one of the bright sparks for Liverpool on the weekend driving the midfield forward and creating opportunities.

For the visitors, Julian Nagelsmann’s Willi Orban and Angelino did not play in RB Leipzig's 3-0 win against Freiburg. They are doubts for this game but Nagelsmann is still hoping that the duo can make the starting 11. Konrad Laimer and Dominik Szoboszlai are both injured and ruled out of the second leg.

Liverpool vs RB Leipzig Predicted Lineups

Liverpool predicted XI (4-3-3): Alisson Becker; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Nathaniel Phillips, Andrew Robertson; Curtis Jones, Georginio Wijnaldum, Thiago Alcântara; Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané

RB Leipzig predicted XI (3-5-2): Peter Gulácsi; Tyler Adams, Nordi Mukiele, Dayot Upamecano, Lukas Klostermann; Marcel Sabitzer, Kevin Kampl; Dani Olmo, Emil Forsberg, Yussuf Poulsen, Christopher Nkunku