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Liverpool have already cruised to victories over Bologna and AC Milan in the competition's new format, while Leipzig are still searching for their first points. Arne Slot’s Liverpool is in full swing, showing no signs of slowing down. On Sunday, the Dutchman led his team to another statement win, defeating Chelsea in a battle of newly-appointed Premier League managers.
Mohamed Salah’s clinical penalty and a scrappy Curtis Jones goal ensured that Nicolas Jackson’s impressive finish was merely a consolation, as Liverpool reclaimed their one-point lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, with 10 wins from 11 matches under Slot.
In Europe, Liverpool have been just as strong, following up a 3-1 win over AC Milan with a 2-0 victory against Bologna, though they had some lucky breaks against the Italians, who were wasteful in front of goal. Bigger challenges lie ahead—like this weekend’s clash with title rivals Arsenal, but Liverpool, currently fifth in the 36-team UCL table, are riding high as they aim for their eighth straight win in all competitions.
Under Slot, Liverpool have won all five of their away games, keeping three clean sheets and conceding just two goals. Not since the 2001-02 season have they been beaten by a German side away in the Champions League, a run that includes a 2-0 victory over Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena in February 2021, when Klopp was still managing the Reds.
Now, Klopp is set to join Leipzig’s parent company, Red Bull, as Global Head of Soccer starting in January, offering a unique connection between the two clubs.
Leipzig, managed by Marco Rose, could use some of Klopp’s Champions League magic right now. They've suffered two losses in their first two group games against tough opponents, Atletico Madrid and Juventus. Both matches were close, with a last-minute goal from Jose Gimenez sealing Atletico’s win, and a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Juventus, despite Leipzig twice leading against 10 men.
Even after Juventus lost defender Bremer and had their goalkeeper sent off, Leipzig couldn’t hold on, allowing two more goals in a collapse that still stings.
However, Leipzig have shown signs of improvement, recording back-to-back Bundesliga wins with clean sheets against Mainz and Heidenheim. Still, they face the daunting prospect of potentially becoming the first team to lose three consecutive Champions League games despite scoring first in all of them.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Liverpool's win over Chelsea came with a bit of bad news, as Diogo Jota had to come off after just 30 minutes following a challenge from Tosin Adarabioyo. It seems unlikely that Jota will be ready for Wednesday's game.Alisson Becker (hamstring) and Harvey Elliott (foot) are also on the injury list, while Federico Chiesa remains doubtful, and young right-back Conor Bradley was mysteriously absent from the squad against Chelsea.
Bradley's absence nearly caused a right-back crisis for Liverpool, especially since Trent Alexander-Arnold was also a doubt before the match. If Slot opts to rest Alexander-Arnold ahead of the Arsenal game, Joe Gomez could step in for a start.
Leipzig boss Marco Rose is facing similar worries in attack, as top scorer Lois Openda picked up a knock in the final minutes of their win over Mainz. However, Openda played down the injury after the game, assuring fans he’d be ready for Wednesday.
The same goes for Amadou Haidara, who also had a minor injury scare, but Leipzig are still without Xaver Schlager (ACL), David Raum (ligament), Nicolas Seiwald (groin), and Assan Ouedraogo (knee), all of whom remain sidelined.
Assuming Openda is fit, he will likely line up alongside Xavi Simons and Benjamin Sesko in attack—Sesko has scored all three of Leipzig's Champions League goals so far.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:Gulacsi; Orban, Klostermann, Lukeba; Geertruida, Haidara, Vermeeren, Nusa; Simons; Sesko, Openda
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Kelleher; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Jones, Diaz; Nunez
EXPERT PREDICTION
RB Leipzig 1-2 Liverpool
That said, this game could be decided in the final moments. Leipzig have a habit of conceding late, having let in a record 17 goals in the last 10 minutes of Champions League matches since the 2019-20 season.
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