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Liverpool v Maribor: Team news, current injuries and suspensions

Jürgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, has said he will be happy with a 1-0 win at Anfield on Wednesday night - Action Images via Reuters
Jürgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, has said he will be happy with a 1-0 win at Anfield on Wednesday night - Action Images via Reuters

What is it?

It's the Champions League Group E match between five-time European Cup winners Liverpool and Maribor.

When is it?

Wednesday Nov 1, 2017.

What time is kick-off?

Slovakian referee Ivan Kruzliak will get the match at Anfield under way at 7.45pm (GMT), the now traditional start time for Champions League fixtures. Kruzliak, incidentally, will be joined by compatriots Martin Balko and Tomas Somolani who will be running the lines while Branislav Hancko will be fourth official.

What TV channel is it on?

The match will be broadcast on BT Sport ESPN with the programme starting at 7pm. Alternatively, you can follow all the build-up, live minute-by-minute action and, of course, post-match analysis right here. Just bookmark this page and come back at around 6.30pm. 

What is the team news?

Defender Dejan Lovren is a major doubt for tonight's match. The centre-back has not trained since sustaining a thigh injury in the warm-up of of Saturday's win over Huddersfield but manager Jurgen Klopp will give him until the morning of the match to prove his fitness.

Playmaker Philippe Coutinho is sidelined by an adductor problem but defenders Alberto Moreno (cramp) and Joe Gomez (knock) both trained late on Tuesday after overcoming issues from the weekend.

Possible starting XI: Karius; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Klavan, Moreno; Henderson, Wijnaldum, Milner, Salah, Sturridge, Firmino.

Pick your Liverpool XI to start against Maribor

Both Denis Sme and Luka Zahovic will miss the trip to Anfield where manager Darko Milanic is expected to make few changes from the side that lost 7-0 to Liverpool two weeks ago.

Dare Vrsic is expected to start while Jasmin Mesanovic may also make his first Champions League start, pushing Marcos Tavares out wide.

Possible starting XI: Handanovic; Milec, Rajcevic, Suler, Viler, Kabha, Vrhovec, Pihler, Tavares, Bohar, Mesanovic.

Pick your Maribor XI to start against Liverpool

What are they saying?

"I am from Germany so I know in 1954 we lost against Hungary in the group stage really clear then won the World Cup final.

"Nobody would have expected that. That's football. That is how I learned it pretty early in my life. It's always possible. It's all about our performance.

"We have to use the little advantage of being the home team, using the crowd, being spot on again.

"We did so well in Maribor at the end it looked like a big difference but it was only because of our start. We have to do that again.

"Fans are allowed to expect pretty much everything and I think it makes sense in life to expect things that make it easier to enjoy what you see.

"If you expect a high result from the first second and you are already nervous in the first minute then that would not be too smart.

"If anyone is expecting something like this [7-0] I cannot change that. If we win at the end 1-0 I am completely happy about it because it means we have three more points."
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp

Jürgen Klopp - Credit: Getty Images
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp talks to the media on Tuesday Credit: Getty Images

"We plan to do well and show our quality. The first game was bad for everyone, and we want to show everyone that the difference between the two clubs is not 7-0.

"Everyone will be focused and we'll play together to get a good result."
Maribor midfielder Marwan Kabha

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What are the odds?

Liverpool to win:1/20
Draw: 14/1
Maribor to win: 33/1

What's our prediction?

4-0. To Liverpool, that is.