Liverpool vs Lille

History beckons for UEFA Champions League pacesetters Liverpool as they welcome Lille at Anfield in the penultimate league-phase round.

Table toppers Liverpool are on the verge of securing automatic knockout qualification as they head into the penultimate round as the only side at Europe’s top table with a 100% record from the opening six games. Furthermore, Arne Slot’s men boast the competition’s joint-best defensive record, with only one goal conceded! The only blemish on Liverpool’s near-flawless defensive run in the Champions League came in a 3-1 win at AC Milan in the opening round, meaning the Reds could become the first team since Leeds in 1969/70 to win six successive matches ‘to nil.’ Buoyed by a stoppage-time win at Brentford last weekend (2-0), Liverpool return to Anfield, seeking an 11th consecutive win on home soil in the Champions League group/league phase, which would effectively seal their progression into the knockouts. 

Visiting Lille will be out to spoil Liverpool’s formidable run of 13 wins from 16 home meetings with French opposition (D1, L2) and improve their substandard form against Premier League clubs. Indeed, ‘Les Dogues’ have only won one of their last ten Premier League clashes against English opponents (D2, L7), highlighting the size of the task awaiting Bruno Genesio’s side this midweek. However, the visitors have hit a purple patch since a 2-0 defeat at Sporting CP on Gameweek 1, winning four of their last five Champions League outings (D1) to seize the final automatic qualification spot ahead of this round. Lille’s rich vein of form on the continental front forms part of their jaw-dropping 21-game unbeaten streak in all competitions (W12, D9) since losing to Sporting in September.