By Sam McGuire
Arne Slot’s males have a 100% document having crushed Actual Madrid, RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, AC Milan and Bologna to this point this season in Europe. The Reds are already into the knockout part of the competitors and this places them in a reasonably distinctive place for his or her last three group stage fixtures.
Will they appear to maintain momentum entering into a bid to return to profitable methods or will the previous Feyenoord boss take a look at this sport as a chance to rotate?
The season to this point in Europe
Girona have discovered it troublesome in Europe.
There’s no beating across the bush. Michel’s facet discover themselves in thirtieth place (of 36) within the new-look Champions League format.
The LaLiga facet have misplaced 4 of their 5 matches within the competitors. They had been anticipated to lose to Paris Saint-Germain however defeats towards Feyenoord and Sturm Graz got here as a little bit of a shock. A heavy loss to PSV Eindhoven additionally dented their hopes of development whereas their solely victory arrived towards Slovan Bratislava.
They’ve scored simply 4 targets throughout their 5 outings and have conceded on 9 events.
Liverpool, by comparability, have been good in Europe.
The Reds have 15 factors from 15, they’ve scored 12 targets and have conceded simply as soon as. Inter Milan are the one crew to have a greater defensive document having saved clear sheets in all 5 of their video games this time period.
Present type
The Spanish facet haven’t been capable of replicate the heroics from final season. Girona claimed an unlikely third-place end having amassed 81 factors. Proper now, they discover themselves in ninth place, 4 factors behind fifth and 4 factors forward of 14th.
They’re winless in 4 and have conceded six targets throughout these 4 outings throughout all competitions, all whereas scoring simply two targets.
Their house type in LaLiga hasn’t been nice. They’ve performed eight, gained 4 and misplaced three this time period. They’ve scored 15 and conceded 13 in these video games. So no house comforts for the Blanquivermells.
Their prime scorer within the league is 38-year-old Cristhian Stuani. You may bear in mind him from his stint with Middlesborough. Additionally they boast a former Liverpool switch goal too in Arnaut Danjuma.
Liverpool dropped factors of their final outing towards Newcastle United. The Magpies scored a late equaliser to halt the seven match profitable run the Reds had been on. Nonetheless, Slot and his facet are unbeaten since their shock defeat to Nottingham Forest in September. The Merseyside membership had an sudden break over the weekend after the Merseyside derby was postponed attributable to Storm Darragh. It hasn’t eased their harm disaster however the gamers which might be match had a little bit of an prolonged break, so ought to be match and firing.
The Harm scenario
The 2019/20 Premier League champions are nonetheless with out Alisson, Ibrahima Konaté, Conor Bradley, Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota. Federico Chiesa was anticipated to play following his return to the first-team squad after a mini pre-season however he missed coaching on Monday with sickness. He’s now a doubt for the match whereas Alexis Mac Allister is suspended.
Girona are anticipated to be with out two key gamers in Yangel Herrera and Viktor Tsygankov. Aside from that although, Michel has a full squad to choose from.
Prediction
Even when the Reds decide to go together with a weaker XI, they need to have sufficient high quality at their disposal to choose up the win in Spain. We anticipate Liverpool to make it six wins from six in Europe.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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