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With their Premier League title challenge all but over, the UEFA Champions League is now the only competition Liverpool can win this season. They face Julian Nagelsmann's tricky RB Leipzig, who are capable of causing an upset against the biggest teams in Europe.
This will be the first competitive encounter between RB Leipzig and Liverpool. The Round of 16 clash promises to be another massive hurdle for Liverpool, who are going through a rough patch in 2021.
The Reds have won 3 games out of 12 since they gave Crystal Palace a 7-0 hammering back in December. RB Leipzig, on the other hand, go into the tie full of confidence having won their last four matches in all competitions.
Budapest’s Puskas Arena hosts the game, due to COVID-19’s continued impact on the world, with the second leg potentially being played away from Anfield as well. The injury bill has never been clean for Liverpool this season. Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are all sidelined for the rest of the season. Fabinho, Naby Keita and Diogo Jota will also miss out due to injuries.
The lack of options is evident and the playing eleven for Liverpool almost picks itself. The German club will be without Emil Forsberg, Konrad Laimer and Dominik Szoboszlai for the last-16 first-leg tie.
Keeping all that in mind, let us take a look at the five key battles from this encounter which could decide the outcome:
RB Leipzig vs Liverpool: 5 Key Battles
#5 Yussuf Poulsen vs Alisson Becker
Life hasn't been as easy lately as it has been in the last couple of seasons for Liverpool shot-stopper Alisson Becker. Alisson uncharacteristically made two errors against title rivals Manchester City that led directly to goals.
The Brazilian was at fault again for Leicester City’s second goal on Saturday as the Foxes came from behind to claim all three points.
Against him will be Leipzig's #9 Yussuf Poulsen. The Danish striker has been in and out of the team all season but should start in this important game. Poulsen’s most impressive quality is his work-rate.
The 26-year old forward works incredibly hard for RB Leipzig which allows Nkunku, Olmo and Angelino to bomb forward. Poulsen himself is a big threat in front of goal and is a solid target man.
#4 Lukas Klostermann vs Sadio Mané
A key part of RB Leipzig's defense is 24-year old Lukas Klostermann. The pacey and energetic defender is a solid player and rarely puts a foot wrong in defense. His pace allows him to contribute to the attack while also allowing him to catch players that try to run in behind the back-line.
The German will be up against one of the best wingers in football right now, Sadio Mane. The 28-year old has scored 7 goals and provided 3 assists in the league this season.
With only 1 goal in the Champions League, Liverpool's Sadio Mane will be looking to get on the scoresheet against RB Leipzig.
#3 Marcel Sabitzer vs Thiago Alcântara
Midfield battles are the most crucial aspect of a game and the matchup between RB Leipzig and Liverpool could well be decided on this battle. Marcel Sabitzer is at the heart of Leipzig’s midfield. Sabitzer is one of the Bundesliga’s best in what he does and is a very talented player.
The 26-year old's ability to put pressure on players across the pitch enables him to win back balls for Leipzig before the counter-attack begins. Sabitzer also has a killer set-piece technique and seldom misses from the spot.
Another midfield maestro who is having a rough season is Thiago Alcântara. The new Liverpool signing has massively under-performed this season and will look to find some form in this important clash.
Thiago will look to use his prior experience of playing against Leipzig during his Bundesliga days to good use. This will be an intense, high-energy midfield battle.
#2 Angeliño vs Trent Alexander-Arnold
The Spaniard originally arrived at the Red Bull Arena on a six-month loan from Manchester City in January 2020. And unlike most new-signings, Angelino hit the ground running from the word go. An all-round top-quality and consistent performer, Angeliño is Leipzig's player of the season so far.
Apart from his defensive quality, the 24-year old has also turned into a prolific goal-scorer. Angeliño is Leipzig's top scorer in the Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League, which proves his threat in front of goal.
Against him on that same flank will be a Liverpool full-back who himself knows a thing or two about goal-scoring and assisting. Trent Alexander-Arnold has always been a key player for his side because of the style Liverpool play.
The young full-back had a tough start to the season but has found his attacking form in recent games. Both these full-backs will come across each other for most of the game and this battle may well determine the outcome of the game.
#1 Dayot Upamecano vs Mohamed Salah
Bayern Munich confirmed the signing of RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano just before this Round of 16 clash. Upamecano has been Leipzig's best defender for a while now and is a key player in that team. Given his talent and recent performances, it wasn't a surprise that every club in the world was after the 22-year old's signature.
Upamecano is a formidable figure in that Leipzig's back three but he combines it with remarkable acceleration and speed across the ground. The French defender will be taking up the challenging task of stopping Liverpool superstar Mo Salah from breaching Leipzig's defense.
Mohamed Salah has 17 goals in the league this season and has scored 3 in the UEFA Champions League. The Egyptian has promised Liverpool fans that the team will "fight like champions" to turn their dismal form around. He is always the talisman for that Liverpool side and will have to be at his best to get the better of Dayot Upamecano.
