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)
"If Tottenham play like this, every club in Europe will fear them."
Yep, those are the words that came out of Chelsea legend Frank Lampard's mouth just moments ago.
Emre Can reacts to Liverpool's 3-0 win over Maribor
"It was difficult in the first half because they were deep but we got more space in the second half and it was a game where we had to be patient.
"We could do better this season but it is still early. Now we are in a good position in the Champions League and hopefully we will be in the next round."
Quotes from BT Sport
Post-match reaction from Mauricio Pochettino
On the magnitude of the win: "I am very proud of my players. The victory is so important for us, the players, the fans and the club because it's Real Madrid, the best team in the world. It's fantastic to beat them but it's a long way until the end of the season.
"We must enjoy today but we must think about Sunday (against Crystal Palace)."
On Dele Alli's performance, Harry Kane's comeback and Toby Alderweireld's injury: "I think it (Alli's display) was very good. I think it was important for him. It was a very, very good performance. He scored twice. It was important that Harry Kane felt good too. We feel bad about the injury to Toby Alderweireld but when it is a period that you must compete and give your best, it's always tough for the players."
Quotes from BT Sport
Sergio Aguero reacts to becoming Manchester City's all-time top scorer
The Argentine scored his 178th goal for City against Napoli tonight.
"I am very happy for this moment. I am happy because the team helped support me. This moment is one time.
"Napoli are a good team. Away in the Champions League is difficult. I'm happy to win and qualify. Every game, we play the same way."
Quotes from BT Sport
Thanks for joining us on a night that has seen Spurs dismantle the European champions at Wembley, Manchester City hit Serie A leaders Napoli for four on their home turf and Liverpool brush Maribor aside with consummate ease at Anfield.
Join us tomorrow as Everton and Arsenal both return to Europa League action.
Goodnight!
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