Champions League: Liverpool v Lille

Liverpool v Lille match preview

Liverpool’s fine season rolls on with a return to European action where so far Arne Slot’s side boast a perfect record of six wins in six Champions League games.

The Reds are guaranteed at least a play-off place in the new league format and top the table with two matches remaining.

Lille have also impressed, winning four of their six games to lie in eighth place – but only two French sides have ever won at Anfield in a major competition.

Slot says he is not concentrating on finishing top of the table as nobody knows if that will guarantee an easier knockout game at this stage.

He said: “The most important thing is when we go out there we want to win a game.

We’re back! 🙌#UCL pic.twitter.com/a3kizqozJt

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 20, 2025

“With this new setup, you think ending number one is the best position to end up but because it’s such a strange league table, because every week, even if you face a team lower down the table, they are the hardest team to face and if you finish number one you could face them.

“I’m not thinking of the league table in a way that if you finish number one you get the easiest team because being on top doesn’t tell you you’re the best team. It’s impossible to say because of the strange format we have.”

Liverpool v Lille team news

Liverpool will again be without Portugal forward Diogo Jota, who missed the Reds’ trip to Brentford.

Working towards #UCL MD7 👊 pic.twitter.com/IWqkVX89Nz

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 20, 2025

Jota came on and scored after 22 seconds in the recent draw with Nottingham Forest but has overloaded a shoulder muscle and will be out for several weeks.

Versatile defender Joe Gomez suffered a hamstring injury in December and also remains out.

Liverpool v Lille expected line-ups

Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Nunez, Gakpo

Lille: Chevalier; Meunier, Diakite, Ribeiro, Ismaily; Andre, Gomes; Bakker, Haraldsson, Cabella; David

How to watch Liverpool v Lille: TV, live stream