RB Leipzig vs Liverpool

RB Leipzig and Liverpool are set to trade tackles in the UEFA Champions League for only the third time as they lock horns at the Red Bull Arena.

Despite opening the scoring against Atletico Madrid and Juventus in their opening two Champions League outings in the new league phase, RB Leipzig slumped to defeats both times, including a 3-2 home loss to the 10-man Italian side. Replicating that scenario here against Liverpool would see the Red Bull outfit become the first team in Champions League history to lose three consecutive games after breaking the deadlock. Unfazed by their continental struggles, Marco Rose’s men have bounced back with back-to-back Bundesliga wins ‘to nil’ to keep up with Bayern Munich’s pace at the table’s summit, remaining one of only two German sides yet to lose a league game this term (W5, D2). However, Leipzig’s underwhelming form against English clubs spells trouble, with ‘Die Roten Bullen’ losing six of their eight previous such fixtures (W1, D1).

Interestingly, upcoming rivals Liverpool were on the other side in two of those six defeats, registering a brace of 2-0 victories 2020/21 Champions League Round of 16. Though Budapest’s Puskas Arena hosted those two encounters due to Covid restrictions, the Reds won’t mind visiting the Red Bull Arena after racking up seven wins in their last eight Champions League clashes against Bundesliga opposition (D1). Moreover, Liverpool’s all-time record of just six defeats against German clubs suggests Arne Slot’s men are in pole position to maintain their perfect European start (W22, D14, L6). After a 3-1 triumph against AC Milan, Liverpool eased past Bologna 2-0 in round two, while they outgunned Chelsea (2-1) at the weekend to complete their best Premier League start since 1990/91.