Champions League Soccer: Liverpool at Genk

By BetOnline October 22, 2019

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Champions League Group H action on Wednesday features Belgian First Division A team Genk facing a formidable challenge as they host defending tournament winners and arguably the best soccer team on the planet at the moment Liverpool. Making matters worse for Genk is that they catch Liverpool coming off their worst Premiership performance of the season–a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford against Manchester United in which they were lucky to escape with a draw. Man U went up 1-0 in the 36th minute on Marcus Rashford’s goal and that was the only score until the 85th minute when Adam Lallana brought Liverpool even. In addition, Liverpool is in a second place tie in the Group H table by virtue of their opening game loss to Napoli–their only loss in any competition in eons.

Genk was bludgeoned by Red Bull Salzburg in their opening game of group competition losing to the Austrian side 6-2 but have since been able to salvage a point with a listless 0-0 draw with Napoli. They haven’t been particularly impressive in league play either currently in sixth place on the table with a 5-1-4 record scoring 15 and conceding 12. This puts them a full 10 points behind First Division A leader Club Brugge.

Genk is making their return to Champions League competition after an eight year absence and despite the poor start to group play have generally done well in European competition–at least on their home pitch at the Luminus Arena. Before a 4-1 loss to Slavia Prague in last year’s Europa League play they had been unbeaten in their last 15 home European Competition games going 13-2-0. That doesn’t do much for their current form where they’ve won only 3 of their last 8 in all competition though they are on a 3-1-0 run at home. Genk hasn’t been helped by their injury situation particularly in net where starting goalkeeper Danny Vukovic is sidelined. 20 year old Gaetan Coucke has been thrust into the starting role. He’s played reasonably well, but then again he’s not faced any opponent in the same class as Liverpool.

Liverpool is likely seething over their performance at Manchester United though it was inevitable that their perfect run to start the Premier League season would come to an end. They remain undefeated and on top of the table with a 8-1-0 record scoring 21 and conceding only 7. They’re 6 up on second place Manchester City and 8 up on Chelsea and Leicester City. They’ll host Tottenham Hotspur this weekend–the Spurs are in 7th place with 12 points–they’re tied with 4 other teams but have the top spot of the bunch due to goal differential. They’ve yet to win on the road this season going 0-2-2 scoring 5 and conceding 9.

With an overmatched foe on deck in the Premier League expect Liverpool to have their full focus on this contest. They’ve played well below their ability so far in Champions League group play losing to Naples and blowing a 3-0 lead over Salzburg before salvaging a 4-3 win. Their next two Group E games are against Genk–the rematch for Anfield is set for November 5 meaning this all of a sudden becomes a very important game. What’s strange is that Liverpool has been awful in their Champions League travels despite a stellar performance in other settings. They’ve lost 6 of their last 8 Champions League away games and lost all 3 away contests in the Group stage last year.

Mohamed Salah will make the trip and has been ruled fit by Liverpool medical staff though Joël Matip and Trent Alexander-Arnold are going to miss the contest. This puts Jurgen Klopp in a bit of a bind–this is a crucial game for Liverpool’s Champions League title defense but at the same time he may feel it best to hold Salah out or at least limit his minutes. There is some good news on the injury front as starting goaltender Alisson is back from injury.

Genk’s home success in European competition and Liverpool’s Champions League road struggles are likely of little relevance here. The reality is that the competitive disparity between these sides is massive. We spoke of Genk’s goaltending situation earlier and although backup Coucke has performed well he’s not faced anything in his career to prepare him for what Liverpool can bring. He was on the wrong end of a 6-2 loss to Red Bull Salzberg in the opening game of group play and the English Premier League is a significant step up qualitatively from the Austrian Bundesliga.

Bottom line–even with the game being contested in Belgium if Liverpool comes to play it will be a rout. Genk realistically can’t beat them–only Liverpool can ‘beat themselves’. A strong win here and in the rematch at Anfield will have Liverpool in good shape in group play.