Arne Slot’s men will move one step closer to securing a spot in the knockout rounds with victory
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Kelleher has saved us a lot lately - Slot
Girona host Liverpool in tonight’s Champions League action in a match that, on paper at least, looks set to be a one-sided affair in favour of Arne Slot’s side.
The Reds have won all five of their European matches in this campaign and sit top of the table in this newly revamped league phase knowing that three points this evening all but guarantees them a spot in the next round. In contrast Girona are down in 30th, six places outside the playoff spots, having only won once this term – a 2-0 triumph over Slovan Bratislava.
Though missing key personnel such as Alexis Mac Allister and Alisson Becker, Liverpool will be fresh having had their Premier League fixture versus Everton postponed on Saturday. Their 2-0 victory over Real Madrid proves they are a force to be reckoned with and their Spanish opponents face a tough ask to come away with a positive result.
Follow all the Champions League action with our live blog below:
Girona vs Liverpool LIVE
Girona host Liverpool in the Champions League with kick off at 5.45pm, live on TNT Sports
Liverpool have won all five of their matches in Europe
Girona have won once in the European top-flight and are in desperate need of a win
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
Girona XI: Gazzaniga; Juanpe, Krejci, Blind; Frances, Van de Beek, Romeu, Gutierrez; Asprilla, Gil; Danjuma.
Rarely seen back five for the Reds
It’s been 656 days since Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson started together for Liverpool.
The quintet line-up for the Reds tonight as Arne Slot looks to maintain his 100 per cent record in the Champions League.
Will Castle10 December 2024 17:30
Liverpool’s excellence brings Arne Slot a new dilemma with unknown consequences
If Jurgen Klopp turned mantras into catchphrases and vice-versa, Arne Slot has a less memorable way with words. Klopp talked of mentality monsters, of turning doubters into believers, of their identity being intensity, of Liverpool 2.0. Slot talks about not getting carried away. A lot. Which, in part, is because his start, of 18 wins in 21 games, could give supporters and his squad alike licence to do just that.
In his attempt to downplay everything, Slot often mentions that his players are accustomed to being top of the Premier League. Perhaps it suits him, too, that a lead has been trimmed from nine points to seven and then, without Liverpool playing, to four. Yet they are not accustomed to being top of the Champions League: not like this, anyway. A core of them have won the competition, in 2019. Some have won a group. But not a 36-team group, not one that contains everyone.
Liverpool’s excellence brings Arne Slot a new dilemma with unknown consequences
Top of the tree domestically and in the Champions League, Liverpool are enjoying an outstanding campaign as they prepare to take on Girona
Mike Jones10 December 2024 17:25
Slot on competition between Diaz and Gakpo
The Liverpool boss said: “It is a healthy competition between Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo. Our fans saw a few times already Luis Diaz playing as No.9 as well in one or two games this season.
“For the last five, six, seven or eight weeks we’ve had four players available for three positions, so we’ve rotated once in a while mostly the left wing and the nine positions [and] our right winger has always been Mo Salah until now.
“They’ve both had a lot of starts, they’ve both been excellent for us – Luis Diaz and Cody – but the other two have done very well, also. I am happy about all four of them, but you’re asking me [specifically] about the Colombian and I am really happy with Luis Diaz for as long as I’ve been here.
“Excellent work-rate, big threat, great footwork, can score goals, so a very special player for us.”
Mike Jones10 December 2024 17:20
Girona vs Liverpool
Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch have played every minute of the Champions League campaign this season.
Mike Jones10 December 2024 17:15
Girona vs Liverpool
Mohamed Salah is a goal away from the total of 50 in his Champions League career, including qualifiers – with 43 of his 49 so far coming while with the Reds.
He has scored six times in his last five club games and the Egyptian is two goals away from joining Billy Liddell (228 goals) in joint-fourth place on Liverpool’s all-time goalscoring list.
Mike Jones10 December 2024 17:10
Girona vs Liverpool
Arne Slot’s side have played 447 minutes since last conceding a goal in the Champions League.
(Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Will Castle10 December 2024 17:05
Girona vs Liverpool
Liverpool are seeking to win each of their opening six games of a European campaign for only the second time ever. In 2021-22, they won all of their first seven fixtures.
Mike Jones10 December 2024 17:00
Girona vs Liverpool
The Reds have won 15 of their last 20 away Champions League matches, including 10 of the last 12.
Mike Jones10 December 2024 16:55
Girona vs Liverpool
A victory at Estadi Montilivi would be the Reds’ 150th in the competition overall (inclusive of wins by penalty shootout).
(Getty Images)
Will Castle10 December 2024 16:50
Slot on significance of finishing top of the league
More from Liverpool’s manager who explained his feelings about trying to finish top of the Champions League table. He said: “It is so difficult to say anything about this. I have said it many times, but at the end of the season you can judge it in the best possible way – if it’s helpful to end up in the top eight, if it’s helpful to end up as No.1.
“Of course, it seems to be really helpful to end up first eight, but if every time you play your starters, which we have done until now almost every time, then you also need the results. We try to do this to, first of all, be in the highest possible position but also to skip the next round.
“If in the end it means by playing your starters always, skipping that round and still having a very difficult draw then we maybe are going to think about it differently next season, what we are going to do in the group stage. That is something we have to wait and see in the end of the season, where this will lead us.
“First of all, we want to stay in the top eight and therefore we think we need a win – and the first chance we have is tomorrow night.”
Mike Jones10 December 2024 16:45
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