UEFA Champions League : Liverpool vs. LOSC Lille Preview – January 21, 2025
The UEFA Champions League knockout stage kicks off with an intriguing clash as Liverpool hosts LOSC Lille (commonly referred to as Lille) on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. This Round of 16 first-leg matchup at Anfield will see the Premier League giants face off against one of Ligue 1’s most resilient sides. With both teams eager to secure a foothold in the two-legged tie, the stakes are incredibly high. Here’s an in-depth preview of this exciting encounter, including event details, team news, potential lineups, playing ground specifics, head-to-head stats, and live-streaming options.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Kick-Off Time: 21:00 CET / 20:00 GMT / 15:00 ET
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool, England
Broadcast and Live Stream:
UK: BT Sport
US: CBS Sports, Paramount+, Univision
Worldwide: UEFA.tv and official broadcasting platforms
Team News
Liverpool
Liverpool, led by Jรผrgen Klopp, enters this fixture with a renewed sense of optimism. Their group-stage campaign was marked by commanding performances, finishing as group winners. However, domestic form has been slightly inconsistent, adding pressure to deliver on Europe’s biggest stage.
Injuries/Suspensions:
Virgil van Dijk: Doubtful due to a minor muscle strain.
Luis Dรญaz: Recovering from an ankle injury, with limited chances of featuring.
Thiago Alcรขntara: Long-term absentee due to a recurring hip issue.
Key Players:
Mohamed Salah remains Liverpool’s talisman, while Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai are expected to play crucial roles in unlocking Lille’s defense.
LOSC Lille
Lille has exceeded expectations to reach this stage, overcoming tough opposition in the group phase. Manager Paulo Fonseca has built a cohesive unit that combines defensive solidity with an ability to spring quick counterattacks.
Injuries/Suspensions:
Jonathan Bamba: Doubtful with a muscle problem.
Benjamin Andrรฉ: Available after serving a suspension in their final group-stage game.
Tiago Djalรณ: Ruled out for the season with a knee injury.
Key Players:
Jonathan David is Lille’s main attacking threat, supported by the creativity of Rรฉmy Cabella. Goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier is also pivotal to their defensive resilience.
Possible Lineups
Liverpool (4-3-3):
Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konatรฉ, Joe Gomez, Andrew Robertson
Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones
Forwards: Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nรบรฑez, Cody Gakpo
Lille (4-2-3-1):
Goalkeeper: Lucas Chevalier
Defenders: Bafodรฉ Diakitรฉ, Josรฉ Fonte, Alexsandro, Gabriel Gudmundsson
Midfielders: Benjamin Andrรฉ, Angel Gomes
Attackers: Edon Zhegrova, Rรฉmy Cabella, Jonathan Bamba
Striker: Jonathan David
Playing Ground: Anfield
Anfield, Liverpool’s iconic home stadium, is renowned for its electrifying atmosphere on European nights. With a capacity of over 53,000, the stadium’s famous Kop stand often plays the role of the 12th man. Lille will need to be prepared for the intensity and passion that Anfield generates, especially during Champions League fixtures.
Head-to-Head
Total Matches Played: 2
Liverpool Wins: 1
Lille Wins: 1
Draws: 0
The two sides last met in the 2009/10 Europa League Round of 16, where Liverpool triumphed 3-1 on aggregate. However, a lot has changed since then, with both teams undergoing significant transformations.
Match Preview
Liverpool’s Strategy
Liverpool will aim to dominate possession and apply relentless pressure, leveraging their high-tempo style. Salah’s experience and goal-scoring ability make him a constant threat, while Alexander-Arnold’s overlapping runs and pinpoint deliveries add an extra dimension to their attack. Klopp’s pressing system will look to force errors from Lille’s defense, creating opportunities in transition.
Liverpool must remain wary of Lille’s counterattacking prowess, particularly given their own vulnerabilities in defensive transitions.
Lille’s Approach
Lille, as underdogs, are expected to adopt a pragmatic approach, focusing on defensive organization and hitting Liverpool on the counter. Jonathan David’s movement and pace will be crucial, while Cabella’s ability to find pockets of space could open up opportunities. Set pieces may also be a key area for Lille to exploit.
Fonseca will instruct his side to stay compact, limiting Liverpool’s space in the final third while looking for opportunities to exploit the high defensive line often employed by Klopp’s team.
Key Players to Watch
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): The Egyptian forward has been prolific in the Champions League, and his ability to score or create chances in crucial moments makes him a player Lille must keep under constant surveillance.
Jonathan David (Lille): The Canadian striker is Lille’s top scorer this season, combining clinical finishing with intelligent positioning. He’ll be pivotal to their hopes of an upset.
Betting Odds and Predictions
Liverpool Win: 2/5
Lille Win: 7/1
Draw: 4/1
Liverpool enters the match as clear favorites due to their superior squad depth, home advantage, and European pedigree. A 3-1 victory for the Reds seems likely, though Lille’s counterattacking potential could lead to a tightly contested game.
How to Watch
United Kingdom:
BT Sport 1
BT Sport App
United States:
CBS Sports
Paramount+
Univision
Fans worldwide can access live match updates and commentary through the official UEFA Champions League app or UEFA.tv.
Conclusion
Liverpool vs. Lille promises to be a fascinating encounter, showcasing contrasting styles of football. While Liverpool’s high-octane approach and home advantage give them the edge, Lille’s resilience and counterattacking threat cannot be underestimated. For football fans, this match epitomizes the drama and excitement of the UEFA Champions League knockout stages. Anfield is set for another memorable European night, and both teams will look to make their mark in this prestigious competition.