Liverpool starting line-up vs RB Leipzig – three changes made, with Diogo Jota missing out, Darwin Nunez stepping in, Jones and decisions made…

RB Leipzig vs. Liverpool – prediction, team news, lineups.

For the match against RB Leipzig, Liverpool has made three changes to their starting lineup, with Diogo Jota not participating, Darwin Nunez taking his place, and choices made concerning Jones.

In a highly anticipated clash, RB Leipzig will face Liverpool on Wednesday at the Red Bull Arena, with both teams under the guidance of Jurgen Klopp.

Liverpool has already secured victories against Bologna and AC Milan in this season’s revamped Champions League, while their Bundesliga counterparts are still searching for their first points.

Under Arne Slot’s leadership, Liverpool’s transformation continues to impress, as they recently passed a significant test of their Premier League title aspirations.

The Reds triumphed over Chelsea, with a decisive penalty from Mohamed Salah and a goal from Curtis Jones, allowing them to maintain a narrow lead over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, marking their tenth win in eleven matches since Slot took charge.

Liverpool’s European campaign has seen them achieve two wins against Italian teams, following a 3-1 victory over AC Milan with a 2-0 win against Bologna, although they were fortunate at times, as Bologna struggled to convert their chances.

Looking ahead, Liverpool faces tougher challenges, including a crucial match against title rivals Arsenal.

Currently sitting fifth in the 36-team UCL standings, the Merseyside club is in excellent form, aiming for their eighth consecutive win across all competitions.

Additionally, Liverpool has been impressive on the road under Slot, winning all five away matches so far, with three clean sheets and only two goals conceded.

Notably, they have not lost to a German team away in the Champions League since the 2001-02 season.

The sequence includes a 2-0 victory against Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena in February 2021, during Klopp’s tenure with Liverpool.

However, the German coach will soon transition to a new role as Red Bull’s Global Head of Soccer starting in January, assisting the team that he once faced.

Marco Rose’s squad could benefit from the European expertise of the 2019 Champions League winner, especially given their current record of two losses in two European matches, albeit against formidable opponents like Atletico Madrid and Juventus.

Die Roten Bullen kept both matches competitive, narrowly losing to Atletico due to a last-minute goal from Jose Gimenez.

They also squandered a one-goal advantage twice against a 10-man Juventus, ultimately falling 3-2 to a Dusan Vlahovic-led side.

In that match, Juventus lost key defender Bremer to injury within the first seven minutes and had goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio sent off with about 30 minutes remaining.

Despite being a man down, they managed to score twice more, leading to Leipzig’s significant collapse.

Recently, however, Rose’s team has shown improvement, securing consecutive Bundesliga victories against Mainz 05 and Heidenheim, both with clean sheets.

Nevertheless, they now face the possibility of becoming the first team to lose three consecutive Champions League matches after taking the lead in each.

Liverpool’s win over Chelsea came at a cost, as Diogo Jota was forced off after just 30 minutes due to a challenge from Tosin Adarabioyo, leaving Slot doubtful about the Portugal international’s availability for Wednesday’s match.

Alisson Becker (hamstring) and Harvey Elliott (foot) are also sidelined, while Federico Chiesa remains uncertain for selection.

Additionally, young right-back Conor Bradley was absent from the matchday squad against Liverpool for reasons that have not been disclosed.

Bradley’s absence nearly created a right-back dilemma for Slot, as the Dutch manager disclosed that Trent Alexander-Arnold was also uncertain prior to the match.

Consequently, Joe Gomez might receive an unexpected starting position in defense if the Liverpool manager opts to rest Alexander-Arnold ahead of the clash with Arsenal.

Rose can relate to Slot’s recent attacking challenges, as Leipzig’s top scorer Lois Openda sustained a minor injury during the final moments of the victory over Mainz.

However, the Belgian downplayed his condition post-match, asserting that he would be fit for Wednesday’s encounter.

Similarly, Amadou Haidara experienced an injury scare in the latter part of the weekend’s match, but Xaver Schlager (ACL), David Raum (ligament), Nicolas Seiwald (groin), and Assan Ouedraogo (knee) are all currently under medical supervision.

Provided his injury does not worsen, Openda is expected to join a formidable front three alongside Xavi Simons and Benjamin Sesko, who has netted all three of Leipzig’s goals in the Champions League thus far.

RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:

Gulacsi; Orban, Klostermann, Lukeba; Geertruida, Haidara, Vermeeren, Nusa; Simons; Sesko, Openda

Liverpool possible starting lineup:

Kelleher; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Jones, Diaz; Nunez

Possible prediction: RB Leipzig 1-2 Liverpool.

Leipzig seems to have strengthened their defense since the collapse against Juventus, yet Liverpool presents a different challenge compared to Mainz and Heidenheim. We predict the Reds will secure 11 points from 12 under Slot.

However, it would not be surprising if this match is decided in the closing moments, as Leipzig has conceded a record 17 goals in the last 10 minutes of Champions League matches since the 2019-20 season.