Liverpool vs Maribor - as it happened: Jurgen Klopp's men clinch three more points after convincing home win
Re-live live action from the Champions League
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Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool host Maribor on Wednesday night looking for another comprehensive victory to send them top of Champions League Group E with two games to play.
After thrashing the Slovenian club 7-0 away from home in the opening fixture of their double-header, the Reds drew level on five points with Group E frontrunners Spartak Moscow. With the Russian team away at Seville in the other group fixture, boss Jurgen Klopp will know his team have a brilliant opportunity to secure their leading position with two gameweeks remaining.
Since their last outing in the competition, the Merseyside club have experienced mixed Premier League fortunes. Although they cruised easily enough to a 3-0 victory against league newcomers Huddersfield at Anfield on Saturday, the defensive capitulation in the 4-1 loss to Spurs the week before will have left lasting scars. Another confident European win tonight would help to banish those ghosts and instil some positive momentum in their league challenge.
Nonetheless, given the relative ease in which his side defeated their northern Slovenian opposition last time out, expect some squad rotation from Klopp. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Emre Can and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may all start, with other first-choice replacements rested ahead of Saturday’s league clash with West Ham.
For Maribor and their manager, ex-Leeds United boss Darko Milanic, it might be a matter of merely saving face after their drubbing a fortnight ago. With long-term absentees Luka Zahovic and Denis Sme still in the stands, they will be hopeful of clawing back some respectability in their third ever outing in the Champions League group stages.
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What time does it start?
Liverpool vs Maribor kicks off at 19:45 GMT.
Where can I watch it?
The game will be shown on BT Sport ESPN from 19:00. Highlights will be shown at 22:15 on BT Sport 2.
It’s a big game for...
Trent Alexander-Arnold: In addition to the stunning free-kick he scored in his first ever Champions League appearance in August, the young wingback’s goal in Slovenia a couple of weeks ago would have reassured him he belongs on the biggest footballing stages. Another goal tonight might also persuade Jurgen Klopp to provide him with a more regular starting place.
Best stat...
7-0. Liverpool’s margin of victory last time out was the biggest margin of victory for an English club away from home in the European Cup/Champions League.
Remember when...
With Liverpool and Maribor only facing each other once before tonight, there’s not much inter-club history to choose from here. A good excuse, then, to revisit this textbook Gerrard screamer from the 2004-5 Champions League competition - the Reds would, of course, go on to lift the trophy that year.
Player to watch...
Daniel Sturridge: Scoring his 100th Liverpool goal on his return to action against Huddersfield on Saturday, the striker will hope for more goals tonight to further energise his journey back to full match-fitness.
Previous three meetings...
Maribor 0 Liverpool 7 (Firmino x2, Coutinho, Salah x2, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Alexander-Arnold), Champions League, October 2017.
Form guide...
Liverpool: DDDWLW
Maribor: WLWDLL
Odds...
Liverpool: 1/33
Maribor: 50
Draw: 22
(Odds provided by 888 Sport)
14' - What a cross! Kieran Trippier fizzes a volleyed cross across the face of Kiko Casilla's goal but Dele Alli pays the price for not gambling as the ball goes behind for a goal-kick.
Alli would've had a tap-in there if he'd made the run at the far post.
20' - Jan Vertonghen whips a threatening low ball in towards Harry Kane from the left wing but Casemiro gets back well to clear the ball at the near post.
Just moments later Harry Winks attempts to chip Kiko Casilla from inside the penalty area but the Real Madrid goalkeeper is equal to it and catches the ball.
Spurs are looking so confident here.
GOAL! Napoli 1-0 Manchester City (Insigne, 21)
Lorenzo Insigne gives Napoli the lead against Manchester City in Italy!
25' - That's a big blow for Spurs. Toby Alderweireld has just limped off with what looks like a hamstring injury.
Moussa Sissoko is on in his place and Eric Dier has dropped into defence.
GOAL! Spurs 1-0 Real Madrid (Alli)
27' - Dele Alli gives Spurs the lead!
Harry Winks picks out Kieran Trippier on the right wing with a lofted pass and the full-back's first-time cross is turned home from close range by Alli.
The offside flag should've gone up against Trippier but Spurs won't care a jot.
30' - Good save! Hugo Lloris gets down well to deny Casemiro from a tight angle.
33' - You won't like him when he's angry. Cristiano Ronaldo drives at the Spurs defence before chucking in one, two, three, four (!) step-overs and getting a shot away with his left foot. Hugo Lloris is equal to it and turns the ball behind for a corner.
A minute later Ronaldo unleashes another shot on goal but this time his effort from Hakimi's cross is straight at Hugo Lloris.
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