Arne Slot may give because of the brand new Champion League format and acclaim Liverpool as Europe’s greatest. For one more week, not less than.
Victory over Lille assured qualification into the spherical of 16, though an unlikely comeback by nearest rivals Barcelona means they should wait to take action as desk toppers.
Not for the primary time, Liverpool gained whereas promising there’s extra to return, objectives from Mohamed Salah and Harvey Elliott getting the job performed regardless of a mid-match interruption when Lille, decreased to 10 males, equalised. It was the primary Champions League purpose Liverpool have conceded at Anfield this season.
The perfectionist in Slot will lament that lack of focus, however that can’t overshadow how spectacular his 100 per facilities have been taking their spot within the subsequent part.
Seven out of seven is a few achievement given the calibre of lots of their opponents, though Slot would be the first to warn that is all about laying a basis for the extra essential enterprise in spring.
Probably the most pertinent pre-match observations from Slot regarded the response to Liverpool’s notable Champions League victories earlier this season in opposition to Actual Madrid.
“These gamers usually are not impressed – that’s not one thing particular for them,” Slot mentioned, responding to questions on his crew’s present standing as ‘arguably the world’s greatest’.
“If we’d have gained with Feyenoord then there can be a giant social gathering within the dressing room.
“However right here everyone’s 5 minutes later already enthusiastic about restoration.”
Such is Liverpool life. Forward of Lille’s go to, a mixed 27 Premier League and Champions League video games had introduced just one defeat. At different golf equipment they might be speaking in regards to the potential for one of many biggest seasons of their historical past. At Anfield, it’s deja vu, earlier constructive and adverse experiences educating gamers and supporters alike of the chances and perils when trying too far forward.
Certainly, ‘when are they going to have a wobble?’ has been requested extra ceaselessly than how far this spectacular run will take Slot in his debut 12 months.
For now, Liverpool have been having fun with their billing as Europe’s prime canine. Slot was fast to remind everybody that being the Champions League kind crew mattered little in November. It was no extra important in December. And even now, with the league part ending this January, the benefit of heading the pack is unknown. He’ll acknowledge it is much better to find one’s destiny from the arrogance of a lofty peak than close to the underside of the pile of qualifiers.
Even for the leaders, the brand new format ensures slightly jeopardy, Liverpool going into this fixture needing some extent to safe a round-of-16 spot, whereas figuring out a win ensured they may end no decrease than second.
One benefit of the competitors’s redesign is there’s extra to be gained for all sides in going for the win. Lille performed with journey, their first purpose try after 30 seconds. Their downside is Liverpool welcome sides attacking them as their counter-attacking expertise are so potent.
So it proved when Salah struck the opening purpose on 34 minutes, Lille charitably permitting the type of house between their centre-backs and goalkeeper which makes the Egyptian’s eyes brighten to such an extent Anfield floodlights had been momentarily pointless.
Salah had missed his first likelihood a couple of minutes earlier, reluctant to try a header from Luis Diaz’s cross. With the ball dropping on his wand of a left foot, there was no mistake. He may have had a second earlier than half-time when Diaz’s 50-yard move enabled the attacker to showcase his power, contact and tempo. It was a shock when the end was inches large.
Liverpool had been in management in a well-recognized method. At their greatest, they’ve positioned themselves this season as a hybrid of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester Metropolis and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, shifting via the gears relying on the tactical necessity.
Affected person one second, turbo-charged the following. The testimony of the opposing managers is most credible when judging their high quality, and most agree it’s a nightmare looking for an answer. Press excessive and the centre-backs play via the strains. Sit again and it appears solely a matter of time earlier than the invitation to relentlessly assault results in a Liverpool celebration.
It appeared like there can be extra to return for the house facet when a second yellow card for Lille’s Aissa Mandi made Liverpool’s serene progress extra probably.
Then got here a hiccup, a uncommon French assault permitting Jonathan David to equalise and dream of the unlikeliest level.
Stung into motion, substitute Elliott’s volley deflected previous Lucas Chevalier through Ngal’Ayel Mukau. The social gathering temper was restored.
Liverpool may have had a couple of extra, Darwin Nunez forcing Chevalier into motion and Federico Chiesa having fun with one other promising cameo.
To Lille’s credit score, they by no means misplaced perception. It is a facet which was 21 video games unbeaten earlier than dealing with Liverpool they usually dared to imagine they may hold that run intact till the final second.
As a substitute, Liverpool will go into the following spherical because the crew the remainder wish to keep away from.
10:32 PM GMTLiverpool thank their house support10:30 PM GMTInto the last-1610:29 PM GMTArne Slot chatting with Amazon Prime
“We’re glad that we’re prime eight, which is the one factor that tells me one thing. as a supervisor I’m a bit extra impressed than the followers had been. They might really feel it was solely Lille, however they beat each Madrid golf equipment and never with the perfect gamers on the earth so it reveals how good their organisation is. The one factor I used to be not proud of was conceding one likelihood and it was a purpose.
“The privilege of managing Liverpool is you may have greater than 11 good gamers and that’s the reason you possibly can compete on all fronts. It’s as much as them they’re prepared after they get their likelihood and Harvey was good right this moment. You count on that once you usher in a high quality participant. We have now numerous high quality and we work actually arduous.”
10:21 PM GMTHarvey Elliott on his purpose celebration
“I feel it’s fairly clear to be trustworthy. I’m not leaving! I did an interview the opposite day and mentioned that is my crew, my membership. I’m a large fan and we’re in an important place. I’ve had conversations with the supervisor however on the identical time I would like to know the scenario.
“The crew is flying and it will be foolish for me to ask about why I’m not enjoying when the crew is enjoying so brilliantly. It’s about ensuring I stay affected person for my alternatives and benefit from the second. I simply need to ensure that the supervisor is aware of I’m prepared.”
10:16 PM GMTHarvey Elliott speaking to Amazon Prime
“It seems like I’ve been round for a while. Previously I’ve made the error of taking a contact however to have the ability to rating in entrance of The Kop, there isn’t any higher feeling. It’s arduous to place into phrases. I’ve all the time dreamed of enjoying Champions League soccer for my boyhood membership, in entrance of those followers on this stadium. I would like to enter coaching tomorrow and preserving working arduous. Lille are wonderful in my view. They’re actually good and made it powerful for us at some factors.
“We’re a household and we get pleasure from spending time with one another. We’re all the time assembly up outdoors of coaching. To have the ability to play on this crew with wonderful gamers and human beings with an important teaching workers and nice supervisor, we’re in an important place to realize large issues this season.”
10:12 PM GMTThe ideas of Jonathan David
“It was a really tough sport. We got here up in opposition to the highest crew within the Champions League and we knew it was going to be difficult. We confirmed some good issues even once we went right down to 10 males. we wished to carry on so long as we may after we equalised however we all the time knew it ws going to be powerful. We had been compact and had been powerful to interrupt down. We additionally wish to play. Liverpool are an excellent crew and is perhaps the perfect crew on the earth for the time being they usually confirmed why. I’m glad I scored however finally we didn’t get the consequence.”
10:10 PM GMTAnother milestone for Salah10:08 PM GMTA flavour of Salah’s 50 Liverpool European goals10:07 PM GMTTonight’s Champions League outcomes
Atalanta 5-0 Sturm
Monaco 1-0 Aston Villa
Atletico 2-1 Leverkusen
Benfica 4-5 Barcelona
Bologna 2-1 Dortmund
Membership Brugge 0-0 Juventus
Liverpool 2-1 Lille
Crimson Star 2-3 PSV
Slovan 1-3 Stuttgart
10:06 PM GMTMohamed Salah speaking to Amazon Prime09:58 PM GMTMatch stats
Possession: Liverpool 56%-44% Lille
Pictures: 13-4
Pictures on the right track: 7-1
Corners: 3-3
Touches in opposition field: 24-16
09:53 PM GMTFull-time
The Lille keeper was up for the nook however Liverpool head away from hazard. Not lengthy after the ultimate whistle is blown and Liverpool make it seven wins out of seven on this season’s Champions League. They’re via to the final 16 and, after a dramatic ending to the sport in Portugal between Benfica and Barcelona, Liverpool will want some extent subsequent week at PSV to be assured prime spot. They’re three factors forward of Barcelona forward of the ultimate sport. It’s the first time Lille have misplaced in simply over 20 video games in all competitions.
09:51 PM GMT90+2 minutes: Liverpool 2 Lille 1
Lille have a late nook in entrance of their followers.
09:51 PM GMT90+1 minutes: Liverpool 2 Lille 1
Mac Allister has been booked for a problem on Alexsandro that appeared harsh.
09:49 PM GMT90 minutes: Liverpool 2 Lille 1
Nunez has the ball within the internet however he was offside. Chiesa’s shot is saved by Chevalier and Nunez places within the rebound however was clearly offside. He most likely may have labored to get again onside.
There can be three added minutes on the finish of this one.
09:47 PM GMT88 minutes: Liverpool 2 Lille 1
Andre fouls Endo proper outdoors his personal field and is booked. Andre will miss their last group match. Alexander-Arnold sends within the free-kick however Lille head away.
09:44 PM GMT86 minutes: Liverpool 2 Lille 1
Liverpool make their last change as Alexander-Arnold replaces Bradley.
09:43 PM GMT85 minutes: Liverpool 2 Lille 1
After Elliott makes a large number of issues on his personal byline, the ball is fed again by David to Haraldsson close to the sting of the field. His effort is deflected behind for a nook. The ball was unlikely to expire and Elliott ought to have handled it fairly than try to shepherd it out of play.
Liverpool take care of the nook and clear their strains.
09:40 PM GMT81 minutes: Liverpool 2 Lille 1
Chiesa cuts in from the left and contained in the field curls one in the direction of the far nook however is denied by an honest save from Chevalier. A save he ought to make however an honest save nonetheless to his left.
09:37 PM GMT79 minutes: Liverpool 2 Lille 1
Nunez finds Salah out on the appropriate and he runs at Ismaily, who provides him house to go on his proper. Salah tries to beat Chevalier at his close to submit however the Lille keeper will get down properly to make the save.
Liverpool take the nook quick and Tsimikas then sends it in however Lille head away. Liverpool had numbers on the again submit so had there been a bit extra on that Liverpool would have been in enterprise.
09:32 PM GMT74 minutes: Liverpool 2 Lille 1
Lille are making a double change as Mukau and Gudmundsson go off to get replaced by Ismaily and Bouaddi.
Liverpool additionally make a change as Chiesa comes on for Diaz.
09:30 PM GMT72 minutes: Liverpool 2 Lille 1
Diakite goes flying in recklessly right into a problem with Mac Allister. He does get the ball first however retains his leg fairly excessive to make contact with Mac Allister. It’s a little stunning there was no yellow card.
09:25 PM GMTGOAL! Elliott restores Liverpool’s lead through deflection
Liverpool are again forward. Tsimikas’ nook in entrance of The Kop is headed out to Elliott simply outdoors the field, who takes it on first-time. It takes a major deflection off Mukau and goes into the online, with Chevalier having no likelihood because of the deflection.
09:23 PM GMT64 minutes: Liverpool 1 Lille 1
Modifications for either side. Liverpool carry on Endo for Szoboszlai and Lille make a double change with Meunier and Sahraoui changing Bakker and Cabella.
09:20 PM GMTGOAL! David equalises for Lille
The ten males have equalised. Bradley ought to do higher down Liverpool’s proper however Gudmundsson is allowed to chop the ball throughout from the byline. Initially Haraldsson has an effort blocked however David slots house the rebound. Earlier than that purpose, Liverpool had not conceded within the Champions League because the opening matchday in opposition to AC Milan. A reminder that is matchday seven.
09:19 PM GMT60 minutes: Liverpool 1 Lille 0
Mac Allister has an identical likelihood to the one Quansah had a couple of minutes in the past. Tsimikas sends in free-kick and Mac Allister has headed alternative however he can’t hold it down and it goes simply over the bar.
09:18 PM GMT59 minutes: Liverpool 1 Lille 0
Lille are right down to 10 males! The ball is performed into the left-hand channel by Elliott and Mandi is in hassle. Diaz was going to get on the top of it so Mandi decides to hack him down. He already had a yellow card so he’s proven a second yellow and is off. Lille will play the ultimate half an hour with 10 males.
09:17 PM GMT58 minutes: Liverpool 1 Lille 0
Bradley feeds move into the trail of Nunez on the right-hand facet of the field however his effort is saved by Chevalier, who had come out to slim the angle. It was straight at Chevalier.
09:16 PM GMT57 minutes: Liverpool 1 Lille 0
Liverpool work it properly down the appropriate via Salah and Elliott, with the latter laying it off to Bradley on the right-hand facet of the realm. I have no idea if Bradley was attempting to cross or shoot nevertheless it finally ends up being a shot and goes over the bar. A few of his teammates weren’t too impressed that he didn’t move in that space.
09:11 PM GMT53 minutes: Liverpool 1 Lille 0
Bakker fouls Tsimikas not far outdoors the Lille penalty space, which supplies Liverpool alternative. Tsimikas sends in a beautiful supply and Quansah meets it on his first Champions League begin. Chevalier is in no man’s land and Quansah solely wants to move it on the right track and it was in however he can’t hold the hassle down and it goes over the bar. Quansah can be kicking himself there.
09:10 PM GMT51 minutes: Liverpool 1 Lille 0
Diaz performs a ball ahead in the direction of Nunez. The ball is fizzed in however Nunez can’t get a ok contact on it and that permits Chevalier to get out and clear simply forward of Nunez.
09:05 PM GMT47 minutes: Liverpool 1 Lille 0
Liverpool have an important likelihood down the appropriate with Salah. He drives into the Lille field and tries to curve one into the far nook nevertheless it goes large.
09:03 PM GMTSecond half
We’re again underneath means at Anfield. Liverpool have made a double change on the break as Elliott and Mac Allister substitute Jones and Gravenberch. Jones had obtained some remedy in the direction of the top of the primary half.
08:59 PM GMTTonight’s Champions League fixtures
5.45pm kick-offs
Atalanta 5-0 Sturm FT
Monaco 1-0 Aston Villa FT
8pm kick-offs
Atletico 0-1 Leverkusen HT
Benfica 3-1 Barcelona HT
Bologna 0-1 Dortmund HT
Membership Brugge 0-0 Juventus HT
Liverpool 1-0 Lille HT
Crimson Star 0-3 PSV HT
Slovan 0-2 Stuttgart HT
08:55 PM GMTMatch stats
Possession: Liverpool 56%-44% Lille
Pictures: 5-1
Pictures on the right track: 2-0
Corners: 1-1
Touches in opposition field: 8-9
08:52 PM GMTHT verdict
That was a half by which Slot’s facet had been extra paying homage to Guardiola’s Manchester Metropolis than Klopp’s Liverpool; affected person, managed, medical when needed. Salah will take the glory for his purpose, however strikers developing in opposition to Van Dijk should really feel like all these hopefuls dealing with Novak Djokovic – there appears no well past him.
08:47 PM GMTHalf-time
There may be the half-time whistle and Liverpool lead 1-0 on the break because of Salah’s fiftieth European purpose for the membership.
08:45 PM GMT45 minutes: Liverpool 1 Lille 0
Two added minutes on the finish of this primary half.
08:45 PM GMT44 minutes: Liverpool 1 Lille 0
Salah ought to put Liverpool 2-0 up and it’s a shock he didn’t. Diaz performs a ball ahead into the Egyptian and a unbelievable first contact will get him working into the field forward of his marker Gudmundsson. He holds off the defender, opens up his physique and curls one in the direction of the far nook. It beats Chevalier and also you assume it should nestle into the underside nook nevertheless it goes simply large. It might have been a elegant purpose.
08:42 PM GMT42 minutes: Liverpool 1 Lille 0
Jones goes down and receives some remedy. He appears to be like like he can be superb to proceed.
08:40 PM GMT40 minutes: Liverpool 1 Lille 0
Liverpool are working ahead just like the pink arrows and Nunez has it with teammates up forward of him. He ships it out to Salah on the sting of the field, who clips in a cross with the skin of his left foot that’s headed behind for a nook.
Chevalier does properly to punch away the supply.
08:39 PM GMT38 minutes: Liverpool 1 Lille 0
After a free-kick is taken quick, a ball is shipped in and Alisson comes out to catch however drops it. Liverpool clear however not lengthy after Lille win themselves a nook on the left in entrance of The Kop. Liverpool then counter…
08:36 PM GMT36 minutes: Liverpool 1 Lille 0
Mandi was booked for Lille within the aftermath of the purpose for dissent.
08:34 PM GMTGOAL! Salah provides Liverpool the lead
Salah slots house while the Lille gamers are livid they weren’t given a free-kick within the build-up. Tsimikas will get the ball cleanly from David and there’s clearly no foul. Jones will get maintain of it and sends a pin-point via ball into Salah, who’s near being offside. Chevalier comes racing out of his purpose however Salah will get to it first, lifting and curling it previous the Lille keeper and into the online. Salah is onside and the purpose stands. That’s his fiftieth European purpose for the membership. 1-0 Liverpool.
However who wants headers when you may have Salah’s wand of a left foot.
08:31 PM GMT31 minutes: Liverpool 0 Lille 0
Likelihood for Liverpool. Jones is implored by the house devoted to play ahead and he obliges, discovering the run of Diaz within the left-hand channel. The Colombian fires in a cross into the trail of Salah, who tries to volley house nevertheless it comes off his knee and goes away. It got here at him quick.
Unsure what number of headers Salah has scored in his profession, however he missed an opportunity to provide it the total Terry McDermott from Steve Heighway’s cross in opposition to Spurs in 1978 from Luis Diaz’s supply (ask your dad or look it up on Youtube).
08:26 PM GMT26 minutes: Liverpool 0 Lille 0
Bradley wins a free-kick on the appropriate contained in the Lille half after a foul by Cabella and Liverpool have the prospect to ship it into the Lille field. Liverpool take it quick and Salah then clips it in however it’s properly over-hit. What a waste that was!
08:21 PM GMT21 minutes: Liverpool 0 Lille 0
Liverpool work it brilliantly from deep in their very own half all the best way into the Lille field. Bradley made nice floor down the appropriate earlier than shifting it in-field to Salah, who tries to select the run of Diaz into the field however the ball is over-hit and runs behind for a goal-kick.
08:19 PM GMT19 minutes: Liverpool 0 Lille 0
A ball excessive finds Cabella in house down the left. Cabella then finds Haraldsson on the sting of the field and he shifts it out to the appropriate. The primary cross is blocked and the second is headed away by van Dijk. That preliminary ball excessive for Cabella was far too simple for Lille.
08:16 PM GMT15 minutes: Liverpool 0 Lille 0
Quansah chips a ball excessive of the Lille defence, attempting to select the run of Salah however the ball is barely over-hit and rolls via to Chevalier. Almost an excellent ball.
08:11 PM GMT11 minutes: Liverpool 0 Lille 0
Szoboszlai has had some combined evaluations this season, however Liverpool miss him when he’s absent. He’s so usually the set off for the excessive press and appears stuffed with vitality once more tonight.
08:07 PM GMT7 minutes: Liverpool 0 Lille 0
Salah is discovered on the appropriate by Szoboszlai. He strikes to the sting of the field, cuts inside and curls in a shot however it’s a simple save for Chevalier.
Lille are pushing up excessive out of possession, seemingly enjoying in a 4-2-4 formation with out the ball.
08:03 PM GMT3 minutes: Liverpool 0 Lille 0
Van Dijk picks out Salah with an extended, raking diagonal. Salah sends in a cross from the byline with the skin of his left foot however Chevalier catches it.
08:01 PM GMT1 min: Liverpool 0 Lille 0
Gudmundsson has the primary effort of the night time inside the primary minute from the left-hand facet of the Liverpool field nevertheless it goes large of Alisson’s proper submit. Alisson had it coated anyway.
08:00 PM GMTKick-off
We’re underneath means at Anfield.
07:57 PM GMTKick-off quick approaching
Either side emerge from the tunnel and we’re moments away from kick-off at Anfield.
07:53 PM GMTReminder of the groups
Liverpool: Alisson, Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai, Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
Substitutes: Kelleher, Jaros, Endo, Konate, Mac Allister, Chiesa, Gakpo, Elliott, Robertson, Alexander-Arnold, Danns, Morton.
Lille: Chevalier, Mandi, Diakite, Alexsandro, Gudmundsson, Andre, Mukaku, Cabella, Haraldsson, Bakker, David.
Substitutes: Mannone, Caillard, Gomes, Sahraoui, Meunier, Bayo, Mbappe, Ismaily, Bouaddi, Cossier.
07:49 PM GMTTonight’s Champions League fixtures
5.45pm kick-offs
Atalanta 5-0 Sturm FT
Monaco 1-0 Aston Villa FT
8pm kick-offs
Atletico vs Leverkusen
Benfica vs Barcelona
Bologna vs Dortmund
Membership Brugge vs Juventus
Liverpool vs Lille
Crimson Star vs PSV
Slovan vs Stuttgart
07:47 PM GMTDaniel Sturridge on Amazon Prime07:43 PM GMTHosts gearing up07:40 PM GMTArne Slot chatting with Amazon Prime
“If we’re in a position to work this out [qualify for the last-16 automatically], positively [it is a perfect scenario]. That’s the reason we have now performed with a really sturdy line-up so many instances, as a result of we would like to have two video games fewer.
“You can not all the time get what you might be hoping for, however we are attempting to realize this by placing one other sturdy line-up. Lille have proven in opposition to Actual Madrid, Atletico, in opposition to Juventus, how tough they’re to beat so it’s not going to be simple, however we’re positively going for that.”
07:32 PM GMTAston Villa nonetheless path
Over in Monaco Unai Emery’s facet path 1-0 and there’s round 10 minutes to go on the French south coast. You’ll be able to comply with the .
07:25 PM GMTLille’s Champions League marketing campaign up to now
Sporting 2-0 Lille
Lille 1-0 Actual Madrid
Atletico Madrid 1-3 Lille
Lille 1-1 Juventus
Bologna 1-2 Lille
Lille 3-2 Sturm Graz
07:18 PM GMTLiverpool’s Champions League outcomes up to now
AC Milan 1-3 Liverpool
Liverpool 2-0 Bologna
RB Leipzig 0-1 Liverpool
Liverpool 4-0 Bayer Leverkusen
Liverpool 2-0 Actual Madrid
Girona 0-1 Liverpool
07:12 PM GMTJarell Quansah, who begins for Liverpool tonight, chatting with Amaazon Prime07:08 PM GMTFull crew information
Liverpool make 4 adjustments from their 2-0 win at Brentford on Saturday. Darwin Nunez, Conor Bradley, Jarell Quansah and Curtis Jones come into the beginning XI, changing Cody Gakpo, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate and Alexis Mac Allister.
Liverpool: Alisson, Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai, Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
Substitutes: Kelleher, Jaros, Endo, Konate, Mac Allister, Chiesa, Gakpo, Elliott, Robertson, Alexander-Arnold, Danns, Morton.
Lille make three adjustments from their 2-1 league win in opposition to Good on Friday. Aissa Mandi, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Ngal’Ayel Mukau come into the beginning facet. England midfielder Angel Gomes is on the bench.
Lille: Chevalier, Mandi, Diakite, Alexsandro, Gudmundsson, Andre, Mukaku, Cabella, Haraldsson, Bakker, David.
Substitutes: Mannone, Caillard, Gomes, Sahraoui, Meunier, Bayo, Mbappe, Ismaily, Bouaddi, Cossier.
07:04 PM GMTOpportunity to ensure last-16 place for Liverpool
It’s often the golden rule that whichever participant conducts the pre-match UEFA press convention is a assured starter. Not so this week as Ibrahima Konate rests his sore knee and Jarell Quansah takes his place.
Conor Bradley additionally is available in for Alexander-Arnold, however it’s usually a robust line-up, which can shock some.
Liverpool want solely some extent tonight to substantiate their place within the final 16, however there’s added incentive in staying prime of the league as – technically, not less than – it ought to assure a extra beneficial knockout draw. Sadly, a number of the large hitters have been so poor within the competitors up to now, that’s not a formality.
Slot evidently needs to maintain his 100 per cent report intact. A win tonight may assure Liverpool not less than end within the prime two, relying on different outcomes.
06:59 PM GMTLiverpool in recent contract wrangle with Konate but to signal new deal
Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté continues to be to signal an Anfield contract extension .
The French defender has 18 months left on his present phrases, talks having opened earlier this season, and he confirmed on Monday {that a} proposal has been made by the membership.
wish to keep away from a repeat of , Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, all of whom are months away from seeing their contracts expire.
The Merseyside membership hopes Konaté, 25, will commit his peak years to Anfield.
Chris Bascombe has the .
06:55 PM GMTSlot is adept at blocking the noise from bloggers and blaggers
Among the many many positives of win, it will need to have been particularly satisfying for Arne Slot to see the homegrown star he was advised he ought to by no means choose once more present some have urged the supervisor to flog to Saudi Arabia for £50 million.
So too the build-up to ’s second purpose in opposition to Brentford, when the younger midfielder lots are arguing should go away Anfield to begin frequently obtained possession from the summer time signing written off in some quarters as an injury-prone dud who should be despatched again to Italy this month.
Darwin Núñez, Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa’s contribution from the bench in west London was game-changing, as was the intervention of substitutes 5 days earlier.
For extra from Chris Bascombe, .
06:50 PM GMTLille crew news06:45 PM GMTLiverpool crew information
The Reds to tackle Lille 👊🔴
06:44 PM GMTFancy a flutter?
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06:41 PM GMTTonight’s Champions League fixtures
5.45pm kick-offs
Atalanta 1-0 Sturm HT
Monaco 1-0 Aston Villa HT
8pm kick-offs
Atletico vs Leverkusen
Benfica vs Barcelona
Bologna vs Dortmund
Membership Brugge vs Juventus
Liverpool vs Lille
Crimson Star vs PSV
Slovan vs Stuttgart
06:37 PM GMTMatch preview
Liverpool host Lille at Anfield on matchday seven of eight within the Champions League group stage. Arne Slot’s facet come into tonight’s match off the again of a 2-0 win away at Brentford on Saturday after a late double from Darwin Nunez. In addition to being prime of the Premier League by six factors, in addition they are on the summit of the large Champions League desk having gained six out of six, three factors away from second-place Barcelona, and might completely assure their spot within the last-16 this night. The premier European competitors has undergone transformation this season, with the outdated six-game format divided into teams swapped for an eight-game group part with one large league. Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has given his views on the brand new Champions League format.
“It’s tough to evaluate so long as the season continues to be going. One of many positives, particularly for the groups in pot three and pot 4, is that they’ll additionally face groups from their very own pot and that offers them an even bigger likelihood to win video games.
“Within the outdated format, as a pot 4 crew, you all the time confronted from groups from pot three, two and one, so it was not all the time simple to win a sport. Now they’ve two video games in opposition to equal opposition as properly. For these groups, I’m 100 per cent certain they really feel it’s a step up.
“For the groups that had been all the time in pot one, I’ve to attend and see to provide you an trustworthy opinion about what I would like. You can not decide the league desk and say that is the perfect crew in Europe, that is the second greatest crew, that is the third greatest crew as a result of we have now not performed in opposition to the identical groups.”
Slot has confirmed that his facet can be with out Diogo Jota and Joe Gomez for the following few weeks. Jota missed the win at Brentford on Saturday after choosing up a knock in opposition to Nottingham Forest final week while Gomez has been out since injuring his hamstring in opposition to West Ham on the finish of December.
“Possibly [Diogo] Jota a bit sooner than Joe [Gomez], however each of them are anticipated to be again with us in weeks, not in months. I’ve mentioned many instances earlier than the final stage of rehab is probably the most tough, the one that may typically add a couple of days. However it’s clear we expect them to be again with us within the upcoming weeks. It’s all the time tough to say precisely how lengthy it’s, however each of them usually are not going to be out for months, that’s for certain – so long as the rehab goes as deliberate, in fact.”
Liverpool’s opponents tonight, Lille, are presently within the last place of the highest eight going into this spherical of fixtures, which might see them progress into the last-16. Lille, who come into tonight’s sport off the again of a 2-1 house win over Good final Friday, are presently third in Ligue 1 and have misplaced simply three video games up to now within the league and Champions League. Up to now this within the Champions League they’ve overwhelmed each Madrid golf equipment.
The one earlier assembly between these sides got here within the last-16 of the Europa League through the 2009-10 season, with Liverpool progressing 3-1 on combination.
Staff information to comply with shortly.