Liverpool will host Lille at Anfield in what promises to be a crucial clash on the penultimate matchday of the Champions League group stage. With just a single point needed to secure their spot in the round of 16, the Reds will look to continue their impeccable European campaign against a Lille side riding an impressive unbeaten streak.
The Merseyside club has dominated the competition so far, earning victories against top-tier teams such as AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen, and Real Madrid. A narrow win over Girona in their last outing may have shown some vulnerabilities, but Liverpool remain at the summit of the league phase standings. Meanwhile, their domestic form continues to impress, with a hard-fought win at Brentford extending their Premier League lead to six points.
However, Lille presents a formidable challenge. The French side, unbeaten in their last 21 matches across all competitions, is in exceptional form. A late victory over Nice last weekend moved them to third place in Ligue 1 and solidified their hold on a top-eight spot in the European standings. After a shaky start to their continental campaign, Lille rebounded with four wins in five games, including a notable victory over Real Madrid.
Anfield’s electrifying atmosphere will undoubtedly test Lille’s resilience. The French side has proven its ability to adapt and excel under pressure, but handling the intensity of a high-stakes match on Merseyside is another matter entirely.
Match Details
Date: Tuesday, January 21
Time: 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
Location: Anfield, Liverpool, England
Referee: Felix Zwayer (GER)
VAR: Bastian Dankert (GER)
Team News
Liverpool:
The Reds enter the game with minimal injury concerns. Joe Gomez remains sidelined with a hamstring issue, while Diogo Jota is a doubt after missing the weekend’s match. Manager Arne Slot may rotate his squad, with players like Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo, and Federico Chiesa likely to feature.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Alisson; Bradley, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Jones; Salah, Elliott, Chiesa; Nunez
Lille:
Lille’s squad depth will be tested as they travel to England without key players. Winger Edon Zhegrova and midfielders Ethan Mbappe and Nabil Bentaleb are unavailable, while Tiago Santos is out for the season. Jonathan David, their leading scorer, will spearhead the attack.
Predicted Lille Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Chevalier; Meunier, Diakite, Ribeiro, Ismaily; Andre, Bouaddi; Bakker, Cabella, Sahraoui; David
Prediction
Lille’s tactical discipline and current form will make this an intriguing contest, but Anfield’s intimidating atmosphere combined with Liverpool’s depth and quality give the hosts the edge. Expect a closely fought match with Liverpool capitalizing on their home advantage.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Lille
