Leipzig Vs Liverpool: Can't Let Go Of Jurgen Klopp

JAKARTA - RB Leipzig will have Liverpool arriving at the Red Bull Arena on the third matchday of the 2024/2025 Champions League, Thursday, October 24, 2024.

The duel cannot be separated from the figure of Jurgen Klopp. The German coach is now carrying out his new assignment as Head of Global Football Red Bull.

His job is to supervise all clubs under Red Bull, one of which is of course Leipzig, then Red Bull Salzburg, New York Red Bulls, two clubs in Brazil, and a third-level Japanese league team. However, Klopp was only active in his role in January 2025.

However, Klopp was able to witness his former team visiting Germany. He certainly wants to see how Liverpool will continue under Arne Slot.

This meeting is a difficult moment for Klopp. He had to work professionally with Red Bull, but couldn't give up his love for the Reds.

Moreover, it was Klopp that made Liverpool superior in front of Leipzig. In the previous three meetings, two in the Champions League and one in the friendship, the Reds always won over Leipzig.

The record is not kidding. Liverpool won in two away games and one home with a score of nine goals without conceding.

Speaking now, the Reds are still seeded by Klopp's death at the end of last season.

Arne Slot's men easily defeated two Italian clubs, AC Milan (3-1) and Bologna (2-0) in the opening two matches of the Champions League this season.

Arne Slot's revolution shows no sign of lowering The Kop's performance. The Reds have gone through one of the toughest tests to defend their Premier League title as they beat Chelsea 2-1 at Anfield.

This slick journey makes Liverpool now at the top of the Premier League standings this season with a one-point advantage over Manchester City (20 points) from eight matches.

Shifting again to the Champions League, Liverpool are fifth in the standings. They will now pursue victory at home to Leipzig for a record eighth straight win in all competitions.

That opportunity was also open considering the Reds have won all five of their away games under Arne Slot so far.

They also took care of three cleansheets and conceded only two goals in those five matches.

Not to mention the fact that since the 2001-2002 season Liverpool have never been defeated by the German team in the Champions League. The series includes two wins under Klopp, namely 2-0 at the Red Bull Arena and 2-0 at Anfield.

The statistics are increasingly dwarfing Leipzig. Moreover, the hosts have not won a single point in the Champions League.

They lost in the first two matches against Atletico Madrid (1-2) and Juventus (2-3). Practically, Marco Rose's troops can only rely on motivation from traveling in the Bundesliga.

Leipzig have never lost in seven Bundesliga games, five wins and two draws.

However, it is predicted that this achievement will not help much considering that Liverpool's campaign is good.

Even without some pillars, the Reds are still strong. Arne Slot may not be able to field Diogo Jota, Alisson Becker (back thigh), Conor Bradley, and Harvey Elliott (leg) who are still undergoing treatment.

Federico Chiesa and Trent Alexander-Arnold are also still in doubt of appearing. Indeed, if you look closely, Arne Slot is in crisis at right-back.

However, he could shift Joe Gomez for the opportunity to play as a starter at the post.

The depth of the Liverpool squad is still qualified to embarrass Leipzig. Moreover, Rose has problems in attack after the team's top scorer, Lois Openda, was also ruled out.

Amadau Haidara, Xaver Schlager (ACL), David Raum (ligament), Nicolas Seiwald, and Assan Ouedraogo (lutut) are also still being treated by doctors.

Formation Forecast

RB Leipzig (3-4-1-1-2): Gulacsi; Orban, Klostermann, Lukeba; Geertruida, Haidara, Vermeeren, Nusa; Simons; Sesko, Openda

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Neckneck; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Jones, Diaz; Nunez

Head-to-Head Leipzig vs Liverpool

22/07/22: Leipzig vs Liverpool 0-5 (Friendly)

11/03/21: Liverpool vs Leipzig 2-0 (League Champions)

17/02/21: Leipzig vs Liverpool 0-2 (League Champions)