Verdict: Liverpool to Win to Nil
Best Odds: 8/13
Bookmaker: Bet365
Premier League outfit Liverpool travel to Slovenia in search of their first win of the new Champions League campaign. The forthcoming clash is seen as a David vs Goliath match but Liverpool will have to be on their toes given their most recent run of form.
Maribor
Slovenia giants Maribor are doing their best to put up a fight in Group E against the more lucrative opponents such as Liverpool, Sevilla and Spartak Moscow.
The Slovenians opened the 2017/18 season with a point against the Russian side, which came as quite a surprise earlier in October. Samedov put visitors in front but Bohar made sure to level the score with only five minutes left to play for a huge morale-boosting point in the Champions League. Maribor hen Yedder quick fired two goals in the first half for a comfy cushion in the first half before adding another goal to complete his hattrick late in the game. Heading into the highly-expected match against Liverpool the Slovenia side are looking to surprise a team 30x more valuable than theirs, which will be quite a challenge despite Liverpool’s questionable form.
Team News
Defender Denis Sme has picked up an injury and will be ruled out for the match, whereas the hosts will also be without experienced Marko Suler who has ankle problems.
Maribor has no suspension worries to think about ahead the Liverpool clash.
Liverpool
Not only are they looking for their first Champions League win this season but Liverpool travel to Slovenia looking for a morale boost after three consecutive draws.
The Reds have managed just two points from opening two matches in Europe’s elite competition while things have not been that great in the Premier League as well and the Maribor game will be a great chance for Jurgen Klopp to ease pressure off of his own back and of his team’s. Two years after his appointment at Anfield the German tactician is faced with plenty of criticism and comparisons with his predecessor Brendan Rodgers and a comfortable win over Maribor would be the best way to answer them. It will be easier said than done given Liverpool’s current form which – to say the least – has been erratic. The Reds have shown signs of defensive improvements against Manchester United last time out but lacked composure in front of goal to nail what would have been crucial three points against their arch enemies. Klopp’s side is known to play better with bigger teams and the Maribor challenge should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Team News
The Reds are still without Sadio Mane who is sidelined with a hamstring problem. Adam Lallana is making progress but the Maribor game comes too early for him.
Klopp is expected to rotate his squad, although we most definitely won’t see long-term absentees Adam Bogdan and Nathaniel Clyne.
Key Factors to Consider
- Liverpool drew last 3 matches in all competitions
- Reds are winless in Champions League this year
- Maribor lost only 2 of their last 15 matches this season
- Liverpool managed only two clean sheets in their last 10 matches
- Maribor have yet to pick up a booking in the Champions League
Conclusion
Liverpool are not the team you would support with all your heart against a nominally smaller team, especially now with their form and manager under heavy fire, but we believe they have enough in them after that Manchester United draw to see of the Slovenian threat and record their first win of the Champions League season.
Verdict: Liverpool to Win to Nil
Best Odds: 8/13
Bookmaker: Bet365
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