UEFA Chamspion League
Genk vs Liverpool Preview
- Date: Wednesday, October 23rd, 2019
- Time: 3:00pm (EST)
- Network: B/R
- Location: Genk, Belgium
- Venue: Luminus Arena
- Seating Capacity: 21,500
Both clubs come into the match on the back of disappointing results. Genk suffered their fourth loss of their league campaign against Standard Liège. Meanwhile, Liverpool dropped their first points of the season after drawing with Manchester United.
Both teams are desperate for points as the results thus far have made Group E very tight. Any of the four teams could find themselves atop the group depending on the match results. Last time out in the Champions League Liverpool won 4-3 over RB Salzburg in a thrilling match at Anfield. Meanwhile, Genk held Napoli to a 0-0 draw which gave them a much needed point.
Team News
Liverpool are missing two key defenders for Wednesday’s match. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joël Matip will remain in Liverpool to recover. TAA is suffering from an illness and Matip is being hampered by knee soreness.
Star man Mohamed Salah back in training after missing Liverpool’s match against Manchester United on Sunday. He injured his ankle after a brutal challenge from Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhry.
Xherdan Shaqiri is also listed as having a calf injury so he will be absent from the match. As will long-term injured Nathaniel Clyne who isn’t expected back until the new year.
Genk will be missing their keeper Danny Vukovic. The Australian made 28 appearances for them last year in the Belgian league but an Achilles tendon injury will keep him out until January. Brazilian left back Neto Borges is sidelined as well with a foot injury.
By the Numbers
This is only Genk’s third ever appearance in the Champions League group stage. In their last two appearances (2002/03 and 2011/2012) they have never lost at home. They have taken points off of Real Madrid, Roma, Chelsea, and this season Napoli. With that said, they have never won a match in the group stage home or away.
Liverpool have had a torrid time away from Anfield in the Champions League. They have lost their last 4 Champions League group away games. Genk have had decent luck at home and Liverpool have struggled away from home which should make for an interesting match.
Genk has only played against one other English club. They faced Chelsea in the 2011/12 Champions League group stage drawing 1-1 at home but losing 5-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Line-Ups for Genk vs Liverpool
Genk will consider their last Champions League run out a success after splitting the points with Napoli. Their defense was resilient but they refused to just sit back and defend. If they let Liverpool have all of the possession they will have great difficulty getting anything out of this match.
Ianis Hagi, son of Romanian footballing legend Gheorghe Hagi will be vital for Genk’s success. His play in the midfield will need to bring Mbwana Samata into the match, who has been their main source of goals.
On paper, this is the easiest game in quite a while for Liverpool and their next few opponents are tough. Therefore, Klopp will likely want to rotate his squad as much as he can before Liverpool play Tottenham this weekend. The absence of Joel Matip gives Joe Gomez or Dejan Lovren an opportunity in defense. Joe Gomez has not played since Liverpool’s last Champions League match so expect him to feature.
In the midfield Fabinho is likely to play, considering he has appeared in every single Premier League and Champions League match for Liverpool this season. James Milner was on the bench this weekend so expect him to feature on Wednesday. Furthermore, Naby Keïta was given a run out against Manchester United and this match will be a good opportunity for him to get some more minutes under his belt.
Mohamed Salah has returned to training and will likely play. However, it would be wise for Klopp to rest him as the games start to come thick and fast for the Reds. Adam Lallana or Divock Origi should deputise in his place. Personally, Lallana deserves the chance after his goal against Manchester United.
Prediction Genk vs Liverpool
Genk has historically struggled away from home in their prior Champions League experiences and will need to earn as many points as possible at home to get through to the knockout stages. They did well against Napoli and a repeat of that performance could frustrate Liverpool in the same way.
I think Liverpool will break their Champions League away match curse and give Genk their first ever home defeat in the Champions League. If Liverpool drop points, they will be putting themselves in a precarious situation. Much like last season, losing to theoretically inferior teams put Liverpool at risk for elimination during the group stage. With that being said, they lifted the trophy at the end of the season. So as long as they get the job done, the Reds should be happy.
Genk XI (4-2-3-1): Coucke; Mæhle, Dewaest, Lucumi, Uronen; Berge, Hrošovsky; Ito, Hagi, Bogonda, Samata
Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Allison; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Milner, Fabinho, Keïta; Lallana, Firmino, Mané
Final Score Prediction: Genk 0-3 Liverpool
Written by Chase Brittingham
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