Liverpool vs RB Leipzig Preview and Betting Tip

We got lucky with our 3/1 bet on a goal to be scored in the first 10 minutes in the Manchester Derby. I thought City were by far the most likely to produce some early fireworks but Utd had other ideas. A crazy foul by Gabriel Jesus after 2 minutes gifted The Red Devils a penalty and Bruno Fernandes made no mistake from the spot. Luke Shaw added another soon after half time and Utd ended Man City’s long winning run. The focus switches back to the Champions League now and I’ll be taking a look at Liverpool vs RB Leipzig.

Liverpool plumbed new depths at the weekend, losing 1-0 at home to Fulham. It was their sixth home defeat in succession and it was yet another lousy and lack-lustre performance. It is probably a plus for them that this ‘home’ leg is not being played at Anfield. RB Leipzig, who trail 2-0 coming into this match, are in better form. They have had an extra day’s rest too, a big positive in the current climate. Can The German team pile yet more misery onto Jurgen Klopp’s mentally fragile side? Or will Liverpool rediscover their spark? I think the former outcome is more likely, check out my preview and betting tip below.

Liverpool Sinking Like Stones

How the mighty have fallen. A few short months ago Liverpool were the best team in the world. Now, they are the second-best team on Merseyside. It has been a shocking collapse by any standards and their season is hanging by a thread. On Sunday against Fulham Klopp decided to ring the changes. He left out the likes of Arnold, Thiago, Fabinho and Mane, presumably to keep them fresh for this fixture. However, the decision to rotate backfired and Fulham left Anfield with all 3 points.

Liverpool hold a two-goal advantage coming into this second leg. Many experts were waxing lyrical about their display in the first leg against Leipzig, but I wasn’t convinced. Their two goals were gifts and while their pressing was more effective than in other recent matches, Leipzig still created a couple of very good chances and caused them plenty of problems defensively.

If Liverpool concede first in this match they could be in big trouble. They do not handle adversity well and the confidence seems to drain out of them as soon as something goes against them. Leipzig are no world beaters but either are Southampton, Burnley, Brighton, Leicester or Fulham and they have all managed to win against Liverpool in the last couple of months. Are they capable of getting the result they need to progress to the next round of the Champions League? Of course they are, but in their current form you wouldn’t bet on it.

Big Chance For Red bull

I expected better from RB Leipzig in the first leg of this tie. Julien Nagelsmann’s side didn’t try to exploit Liverpool’s glaring defensive weaknesses and it seemed that the highly-rated German coach was trying to be too clever. The blueprint for beating Liverpool is pretty simple. Defend well and in numbers and play quick balls over the top in behind their high line.

There is no doubt that Leipzig are a lesser team since the departure of Timo Werner. As he showed for Chelsea last week, his speed and willingness to run in behind caused Liverpool all sorts of problems and how Leipzig could do with him for this match. In the first leg, Leipzig’s lack of pace up top was apparent but at least Justin Kluivert is back from injury so that should help in that department.

If Julien Nagelsmann sets his team up correctly this could be a big chance for Leipzig to take Liverpool’s scalp. They may well be without Angelino, which is a big blow, but they should still have enough quality without him to give Liverpool some headaches defensively. If they are more clinical in front of goal than they were in the first leg and score first, Leipzig are more than capable of getting the result they require to progress.

Leipzig The Form Team

Since the first leg of this Champions League last 16 tie, Leipzig have won 4 in a row, keeping 3 clean sheets during that spell. Liverpool, on the other hand, lost 3/4 with their sole win coming against Premier League strugglers Sheffield United. The Reds failed to score in their other three games, producing Xgs of 0.70 vs Fulham, 0.25 vs Chelsea and 1.54 in the 2-0 defeat to Everton.

Liverpool vs RB Leipzig Recent Form Guide

Leipzig Look Overpriced

When recent form is considered RB Leipzig should be favourites for this match. Yes, they were disappointing in the first leg but they were the architects of their own downfall. Two silly mistakes cost them two goals but apart from that, they kept Liverpool relatively quiet. They had some very good chances themselves, especially the one missed by Hwang Hee-Chan in the final minutes.

The bookies have priced up Liverpool as the 7/5 favs with Leipzig at 2/1. The draw can be backed at odds of 13/5. If Leipzig approach this match in the right manner and grab an early goal they can make life very uncomfortable for goal-shy Liverpool. The 6/1 about RB Leipzig to qualify for the next round looks generous and that is the recommended bet.

Liverpool vs RB Leipzig Tip: RB Leipzig to qualify @ 6/1 BetVictor

Key Quotes – Liverpool vs RB Leipzig

Jurgen Klopp – “Believe me, these boys want to win games but it doesn’t work in the moment and there are some reasons for it. We don’t score goals and we concede at least one, which in the moment looks like it is enough against us. You can discuss whatever you want, obviously, I cannot just answer and say, ‘Yeah, we don’t have mentality.’ We have mentality, it’s just not the mentality we are used to probably.”

Julien Nagelsmann – “The big difference was they scored with their two chances and we had three big chances and weren’t clinical enough. For the two big mistakes we committed we were punished, and at such a high level that’s normal. We had a good performance. The situation isn’t that easy for us in the second leg but it’s not impossible. We will give everything to make it through to the next round.”

Dave Stevos