By Goal.com News on Wednesday, 10 March 2021
Category: Goal.com News

LIVE: Liverpool vs RB Leipzig

36' Leipzig have to force the issue in the final third. It has been too easy for the Reds at the back thus far.

34' Leipzig are starting to find their rhythm in the final third to put Liverpool under pressure. Nagelsmann needs a stronger intensity from his team before the break.

32' WIDE! Olmo and Nkunku combine in the final third, and a deflection off the boot of Kabak works itself into the feet of Forsberg. He pulls the trigger on a left-footed strike that travels inches past the right post.

32' Nkunku has space on the left flank and he cuts inside before offloading to Kampl. The midfielder goes for the strike, but Alisson gets across to make a comfortable save.

30' Robertson lifts the resulting corner to the back post, but Jota can only send a tame header straight at Gulacsi.

29' Alexander-Arnold surges into the right inside channel to collect a precise offload from Mane. He opts against the strike as he tries to tee up Salah. Upamecano gets back to make a vital intervention for the German side.

27' There have been plenty of chances for Liverpool in the opening 27 minutes, but they've lacked a clinical edge to take the tie away from Leipzig.

25' SAVE! Thiago tries his luck from the edge of the box with an acrobatic overhead kick, but he sends his effort straight at Gulacsi.

24' CHANCES! Salah should put Liverpool ahead on the night, while Mane misses the rebound. Thiago releases Salah over the top with an acrobatic pass. The forward surges into the box with only Gulacsi to beat, but he hammers his strike straight at the keeper. Mane goes for a header on the stoop on the follow-up, but he fails to connect with his effort. Salah then catches Mukiele as he tries to steer another attempt goalwards, conceding a free-kick.

22' Liverpool will be satisfied with their performance in the opening quarter of the contest. However, Klopp will be looking for his team to take the game away from the German side with a further goal.

20' Adams raids down the right flank and delivers a cross into the box. Alisson comes for the ball, but misses it with a dive. Fortunately, Thiago is on hand to mop up the danger for the Reds.

20' SAVE! Gulacsi denies Jota with a fine save. Alexander-Arnold sends a dangerous corner into the box from the right flank. Klostermann misses his clearing header, presenting Jota with a chance to nod towards the target. He makes solid contact with his header, but Gulacsi reacts to tip it over the bar.

19' Salah sends Alexander-Arnold down the right flank with a sublime backheel, but the full-back sees his cross diverted behind by Kampl.

18' Forsberg threatens on the edge of the box as he collects an offload from Sabitzer. However, Fabinho comes in with a closing challenge to break up the attack.

17' Mane appears okay to continue for the Reds after receiving treatment.

16' Liverpool win a free-kick following a handball by Forsberg. Alexander-Arnold clips a cross into the box, but Gulasci commits himself and clears with a firm punch. The German outfit get the free-kick for an apparent foul, although Mane requires treatment after getting wiped out by the Leipzig keeper.

14' Leipzig are continuing to play out from the back, despite the issues that it raised in the first leg. The Reds are applying a high press to attempt to force mistakes.

12' Robertson surges down the left flank and he delivers a cross into the middle that Mukiele clears from danger.

10' SAVE! Alisson has to spread himself to deny Olmo. Leipzig play their way through the Reds at the back, and the ball falls for the Spaniard to strike at goal as Poulsen directs Nkunku's pass into his feet. He fires low and hard, but Alisson makes a vital block.

8' Alexander-Arnold and Jota try to combine in the right inside channel, but Upamecano gets across to guide the ball out for a goal-kick.

6' Wijnaldum plays a ball over the top for Mane in the right inside channel. He hammers a strike towards goal on the volley, only to lift it over the bar. However, the flag is up for offside anyway.

5' Kampl tries to float a ball over the top to release Forsberg, but the forward is caught offside as he takes possession in the Liverpool half.

3' Thiago is played through on goal by Wijnaldum and has time in the box to fire at goal. However, he chooses the offload to his right for Salah, allowing Kampl to get across to make the interception.

1' We're underway at the Puskas Arena.

Liverpool have never been eliminated from a European Cup/UEFA Champions League knockout tie after winning away from home in the first leg – in addition, the last time they won both legs in the Round of 16 was back in 2008-09 against Real Madrid.

Leipzig have made two changes to their side that beat Freiburg last time out. Forsberg and Sabitzer come into the side to replace Haidara and Sorloth, who drop to the bench this evening. Poulsen and Forsberg lead the line for the German outfit.

Liverpool have made five changes to their side that was beaten last time out by Fulham. Alexander-Arnold and Kabak return to the backline in place of Neco Williams and Rhys Williams. Fabinho is fit to start in the midfield alongside Wijnaldum, while Thiago also plays. Keita and Milner drop out of the team. Shaqiri makes way from the final third to accommodate Mane.

RB LEIPZIG SUBS: Willi Orban, Ibrahima Konate, Amadou Haidara, Hwang Hee-Chan, Alexander Sorloth, Lazar Samardzic, Justin Kluivert, Marcel Halstenberg, Josep Martinez, Benjamin Heinrichs.

RB LEIPZIG (3-1-4-2): Peter Gulacsi; Nordi Mukiele, Dayot Upamecano, Lukas Klostermann; Kevin Kampl; Tyler Adams, Marcel Sabitzer, Dani Olmo, Christopher Nkunku; Emil Forsberg, Yussuf Poulsen.

LIVERPOOL SUBS: James Milner, Naby Keita, Adrian, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Curtis Jones, Konstantinos Tsimikas, Xherdan Shaqiri, Divock Origi, Ben Davies, Rhys Williams, Harvey Davies, Neco Williams.

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3): Alisson; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Nathaniel Phillips, Ozan Kabak, Andy Robertson; Thiago, Fabinho, Georginio Wijnaldum; Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Diogo Jota.

RB Leipzig need to take the game to the Reds this evening given their two-goal deficit. The German outfit were off the boil defensively in the first leg and were duly punished. Julian Nagelsmann's side have been in great form since their defeat, reeling off four wins on the bounce in all competitions, including a 3-0 win over Freiburg last time out. It will take a flawless effort tonight to topple Liverpool though.

Liverpool hold a 2-0 lead heading into the contest courtesy of goals from Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in the first leg. The Reds have endured a miserable run of form in the Premier League, losing six out of their last seven games. Jurgen Klopp and his team will feel the Champions League offers respite, and considering their form at Anfield, they may not mind playing in Hungary this evening as they look to secure a quarter-final berth.

Good evening and welcome to the live commentary of the second leg of the Champions League round-of-16 clash between Liverpool and RB Leipzig at the Puskas Arena.

Original link
Leave Comments