Big Match Breakdown: Liverpool v Spartak Moscow
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It’s Matchday Six in the Champions League
Liverpool host Spartak Moscow tonight with the knowledge that victory will see them top Group E.
The Reds require just a point to guarantee qualification, while the visitors need to win to have any chance of making it through to the next round.
It’ll be a tough ask for the Russian side who face a Liverpool team in scintillating form. Jurgen Klopp’s men are unbeaten in eight, winning six. They’ve scored an incredible 25 goals in that run, including eight in their last two matches.
Ahead of the match at Anfield this evening, the Coral News Team bring you all the vital stats, team news and tips in another big match breakdown.
Head-to-head
Liverpool are unbeaten against Spartak in the Champions League. The two clubs have met three times in the competition, with the Reds claiming victory twice.
Earlier this season the sides played out a 1-1 draw in Moscow. Fernando opened the scoring for the hosts before Klopp’s side equalised through Philippe Coutinho.
The hosts can also take confidence from Krasno-Belye’s record on English soil as well. The Russian champions have not won on these shores since a 1-0 victory at Blackburn Rovers in 1995.
Likely XIs
Klopp could make changes from the team which saw off Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend. Joe Gomez will continue to alternate with Trent Alexander-Arnold, while Sadio Mane and Ragnar Klavan are both expected to return.
Spartak welcome back Giorgi Jikia and Fernando from European and domestic suspensions. They’ll return to the side as the visitors look to combat Liverpool’s attacking threat with a 4-2-3-1 system. Georgi Tigiev, Jano Ananidze, Dmitri Kombarov and Artem Timofeev all remain out.
Key battles
Liverpool dominated the match in Moscow and should do so again here. Spartak touched the ball just once inside the Reds’ penalty area in the first-half of that match at the Otkritie Arena. At Anfield, their possession will be less and their task much harder.
That means the visitors must remain disciplined. They can’t allow Klopp’s men the sort of chances they were afforded in the away tie. However, with Mane, Salah, Coutinho and Firmino all expected to start, that task could prove difficult.
For the hosts, Quincy Promes could cause problems. The Dutch forward was rested at the weekend and will come up against the Reds for the first time after missing out in September. With eight goals in 16 games this season, his quick-feet and creative spark could cause the fragile Liverpool back-line serious problems.
Match betting
Liverpool are the overwhelming favourites for this tie at 1/5. The visitors are priced at 14/1, with an unlikely draw available at 6/1.
The Reds warmed up for this match with a 5-1 demolition of Brighton at the weekend. They’re in good form in front of goal and should continue to score against Spartak. It’s 23/20 for Liverpool to Win and Over 3.5 Goals.
However, the hosts aren’t the only ones that should find the back of the net. Narodnaya komanda will look to score past a home defence that have kept just two clean sheets in seven Champions League games so far. Both Teams to Score offers some insurance at 17/20, while it’s 6/4 for Liverpool to Win and Both Teams to Score.
In terms of goalscorers, Mohamed Salah heads the market at 4/5 Anytime and 3/1 to score First. Coutinho offers the value for the hosts at an enticing 13/8. Quincy Promes is best priced for the visitors at 9/4.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
