Salzburg continue to fire on all cylinders ahead of Liverpool’s visit for the decisive Champions League tie on Tuesday.
While Jurgen Klopp‘s side notched another league victory over Bournemouth on Saturday, the Reds’ Group E counterparts similarly swept aside WSG Wattens to the tune of 5-1.
Salzburg’s convincing victory over the weekend was their 13th in 17 games, a result which ensures they remain atop of the Austrian Bundesliga with a two-point buffer over LASK.
The Austrian outfit headed into the clash with WSG Wattens off the back of two score draws in the league, with a convincing 4-1 win over Genk in the Champions League sandwiched in the middle.
But having scored in every game this season, Salzburg would continue to see their attacking prowess come to the fore, with Patson Daka, Masaya Okugawa, Andreas Ulmer, Erling Braut Haaland and Takumi Minamino – the latter two of whom both found the net at Anfield – all on the scoresheet.
Despite the Reds’ upcoming visit, Salzburg fielded a strong starting XI as Jesse Marsch had few injuries to consider as his side cruised to their third win in five games across all competitions.
In fact, their outing was one which ensured they have now scored three or more goals in seven of their last 12 games – a run of form which has also seen them concede 12, a welcome record for the Reds.
Haaland, who has attracted interest from the likes of Borussia Dortmund and Man United, has been a key contributor to Salzburg’s formidable form in front of goal having notched 10 goals and one assist in his last 10 appearances.
Moreover, the 19-year-old has been prolific in the Champions League this season and sits behind only Robert Lewandowski in the standings with eight goals to his name.
And ahead of Liverpool’s visit, Marsch has instructed his side to play with all of their “confidence” as they no longer possess the element of surprise.
“We are excited but calm, the energy and concentration are optimal, we can not surprise [them], they understand our football,” he said.
“But if we get our best performance, we have a good chance, we have to play with all our confidence.”
But Liverpool head to Austria with a clear agenda, as avoiding defeat will ensure the Reds safely secure their passage to the last 16.
It will be anything but straightforward, however, as Salzburg have tasted defeat just twice this season by a single goal – against both Liverpool and Napoli – and will have nothing to lose on Tuesday as they currently sit third in Group E, three points adrift of Liverpool at the top.
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