Liverpool can reach the Champions League knockout stages on Tuesday, as Jurgen Klopp‘s side take on Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium.
Sevilla vs. Liverpool
Saturday, November 21, 2017 — 7:45pm (GMT)
Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium
Champions League Group E, Matchday 5
After a hit-and-miss start to the Reds’ season, they are now starting to flourish.
Since losing heavily at the hands of Tottenham last month, Liverpool have racked up four wins in a row, with Saturday’s 3-0 victory at home to Southampton the latest imposing performance.
Key players are back fit and it is making a huge difference, and there is a noticeably more measured approach by Klopp and his players in recent weeks.
Premier League focus makes way for Champions League commitments on Tuesday, as Liverpool face their toughest match of the group stage.
They head to Spain to tackle Sevilla, safe in the knowledge that three points will secure top spot in Group E, and a place in the last-16.
It is an equally crucial game for the side from La Liga, who sit second heading into the game, one point adrift of Liverpool, with Spartak Moscow two points further behind in third.
Klopp’s men are playing with real confidence, and will feel they should get a least a draw – returning home with nothing would make the visit of Spartak next month very tense.
Last meeting: Liverpool 2-2 Sevilla
Team News
Barring the stricken Nathaniel Clyne, who is out until next year, there are no major injury problems to report for Liverpool.
Joel Matip will miss out again with an adductor problem, meaning Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan will be partnered at centre-back.
Loris Karius will start in goal, and Joe Gomez could replace Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, in order to add a bit more steel in defence.
With the Premier League clash with Chelsea on Saturday looming, Klopp may feel the need to rotate, so Emre Can and James Milner may start in midfield ahead of Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum.
The devilish quartet of Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino could all start, although Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Daniel Sturridge and Dominic Solanke are options to bring in.
Adam Lallana could make the substitutes’ bench for the first time this season, having recovered from a thigh injury.
Sevilla have a quintet of players on the sidelines: Daniel Carrico, Nicolas Pareja, Joaquin Correa, Gabriel Mercado and Walter Montoya. Sebastian Corchia is also struggling.
The Opposition
Sevilla’s start to the season in La Liga has mirrored that of Liverpool’s, with 22 points acquired from 12 matches.
It hasn’t exactly been earth-shattering, as is the case with the Reds, but they are right in contention for another top-four finish and Champions League knockout stage qualification.
Eduardo Berizzo’s side have won four of their last five games in all competitions, with their only defeat in that time a narrow 2-1 loss to Barcelona.
Wissam Ben Yedder, who opened the scoring in the 2-2 draw at Anfield back in September, leads Sevilla’s scoring charts with six goals.
Although Liverpool dominated the last meeting, the Spanish side have undoubted quality in their ranks, from Steven N’Zonzi in midfield to former Man City man Nolito out wide.
Form
Sevilla – Last five results (all competitions)
Won 2-1 vs. Celta Vigo
Lost 2-1 vs. Barcelona
Won 2-1 vs. Spartak Moscow
Won 2-1 vs. Leganes
Won 3-0 vs. Cartagena
Liverpool – Last five results (all competitions)
Won 3-0 vs. Southampton
Won 4-1 vs. West Ham
Won 3-0 vs. Maribor
Won 3-0 vs. Huddersfield
Lost 4-1 vs. Tottenham
Did You Know?
Jurgen Klopp has only lost two of his 19 European games as Liverpool manager, both of which were against Spanish opposition.
Sevilla were one of those sides, defeating the Reds in the 2016 Europa League final, and Villarreal beat them 1-0 in the semi-final first-leg that season, too.
Klopp’s View
In his pre-match press conference, Klopp said the Roman Sanchez Pizjuan’s famous atmosphere will not be an issue, as long as his players approach the game in the correct manner:
“Atmosphere is at the beginning in stadiums like this, I experienced it at Sevilla twice,” he told reporters.
“It’s our job to make the game not that enjoyable, like all the teams try when they come to Anfield.
“We are not here to enjoy the atmosphere, we are here to get a result. It’s no excuse that we’re not at home.”
TV & Live Blog Info
The match is part of BT Sport’s Champions League coverage, with the build-up getting underway on BT Sport 2 at 7pm (GMT). Kick off is at 7:45pm.
Our matchday live blog is also up and running from 7pm, with Henry Jackson in charge of talking you through a Liverpool win. Come and join us!
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