Champions League: Liverpool Need a Nice and Easy Clash with Genk

Liverpool vs KRC Genk

In what could be a spectacular campaign, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has already started to talk about fixture congestion, and the next game on the way is Tuesday’s Champions League Group E clash with Belgium team KRC Genk.

With SBOBET odds of 1.083 to win, Liverpool should come home at a canter. But as the Reds fight on many fronts at home and abroad, Klopp wants to win this game and, crucially, without any injuries or suspensions.

It’s a big match for Genk, who could still sneak into third place in Group E, and head coach Felice Mazzu will set his side up to frustrate the Reds and counter-attack if the opportunity arises.

Talking Points

Klopp will make changes

After a sensational start to the league season, Liverpool are dreaming of a first domestic league title in three decades, but they know Manchester City will push them all the way.

The Reds looked to be on the way to a first league defeat of the season on Saturday, trailing at Aston Villa as late as the 87^th minute, but Andy Robertson levelled with a header before Sadio Mane nodded home the winner in the 94^th minute.

While the Premier League is Klopp’s number one priority, the Champions League 2019 betting odds make Liverpool third favourites at odds of 6.50, just behind Manchester City and Barcelona. So back-to-back European crowns is another prize he would love to win.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored a brace in the return fixture against Genk, and I can see him starting alongside Naby Keita in midfield. That would give Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum a rest in the run-up to a crucial Premier League game against Manchester City.

Champions League: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to be feature in the match against KRC Genk at Anfield — Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in action against Genk defender Jere Uronen

Adam Lallana started against Villa, and he could keep his place, meaning Fabinho too could prepare for the weekend. And I wouldn’t be surprised to see Divock Origi make a start in place of Mo Salah or Sadio Mane.

Klopp needs to balance his priorities with this huge domestic clash coming up, but equally he wants to confirm qualification for the knockout phase of the Champions League sooner rather than later. With Salzburg just three points behind in third, this is a game he’ll hope to win without too much sweat.

He suffered enough tension at Villa Park to last a week!

Genk need points

Seven points from the last seven games leave Genk in eighth in the Belgium First Division, just two points behind Gent in fourth, but seven behind the top two places. But in the Champions League, the Belgians are stranded at the bottom on just a single point.

They secured that rare reward with a goalless draw at home to group leaders Napoli, but they have struggled badly in their other two games, the first a 6-2 hammering in Salzburg when Erling Braut Haaland scored his way into the Champions League 2019 news with a stunning hat-trick.

When Genk entertained Liverpool two weeks ago, Nigerian striker Stephen Odey made an impact after coming on as a sub with just 10 minutes remaining. He picked up a yellow card, the first of the evening for Genk, for a foul on Naby Keita. Then he scored a consolation with a smart turn and flying finish past Allison.

Mazzu may think his big forward has earned a starting place.

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UEFA – Champions League

Red-faced fans should know where Anfield is…

When Liverpool welcome Genk to Merseyside on Tuesday, it will be the first chance two unlucky Reds supporters will have to see their Belgian opponents, but not for the want of trying.

The two unnamed (to hide their embarrassment presumably!) fans travelled to GENT instead of Genk last week and ended up watching the game on television. The disorganised pair had spent £220 each on tickets and travel and only realised they were in the wrong city 30 minutes before kick-off!

Kind-hearted officials at Gent invited the twosome to their Europa League clash with Wolfsburg on Thursday, so there was a happy ending…of sorts.

If anybody knows these two guys, maybe book them a taxi to Anfield on Tuesday just to be sure!

History

This is only the second meeting between these two teams and I can’t see any reason why the outcome will not be similar to the first.

Liverpool are unbeaten in t10 game and have won seven at home on the run. Meanwhile, Genk come into the game in patchy form, with one win, one draw and three defeats in all competitions, going down to KAS Eupen at the weekend.

Betting Tip

	Liverpool vs KRC Genk	Under 3.75 @ 1.96
	November 06, 04:00 (GMT+8)

The draw is available at 10.50 and Genk at 19.50 for this game, but I can’t see either of those two outcomes.

I do think Mazzu will prepare his team to avoid a drubbing, and they have proved they can defend, against Napoli. Equally, if Liverpool go into a two-goal lead then Klopp can rest more players.

I think he’ll settle for a nice and easy 2-0 or 3-0.