Girona host Liverpool in tonight’s Champions League action in a match that, on paper at least, looks set to be a one-sided affair in favour of Arne Slot’s side.
The Reds have won all five of their European matches in this campaign and sit top of the table in this newly revamped league phase knowing that three points this evening all but guarantees them a spot in the next round. In contrast Girona are down in 30th, six places outside the playoff spots, having only won once this term – a 2-0 triumph over Slovan Bratislava.
Though missing key personnel such as Alexis Mac Allister and Alisson Becker, Liverpool will be fresh having had their Premier League fixture versus Everton postponed on Saturday. Their 2-0 victory over Real Madrid proves they are a force to be reckoned with and their Spanish opponents face a tough ask to come away with a positive result.
Follow all the Champions League action with our live blog below:
Girona vs Liverpool LIVE
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Girona host Liverpool in the Champions League with kick off at 5.45pm, live on TNT Sports
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Liverpool have won all five of their matches in Europe
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Girona have won once in the European top-flight and are in desperate need of a win
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Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
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Girona XI: Gazzaniga; Juanpe, Krejci, Blind; Frances, Van de Beek, Romeu, Gutierrez; Asprilla, Gil; Danjuma.
Liverpool’s excellence brings Arne Slot a new dilemma with unknown consequences
17:25 , Mike Jones
If Jurgen Klopp turned mantras into catchphrases and vice-versa, Arne Slot has a less memorable way with words. Klopp talked of mentality monsters, of turning doubters into believers, of their identity being intensity, of Liverpool 2.0. Slot talks about not getting carried away. A lot. Which, in part, is because his start, of 18 wins in 21 games, could give supporters and his squad alike licence to do just that.
In his attempt to downplay everything, Slot often mentions that his players are accustomed to being top of the Premier League. Perhaps it suits him, too, that a lead has been trimmed from nine points to seven and then, without Liverpool playing, to four. Yet they are not accustomed to being top of the Champions League: not like this, anyway. A core of them have won the competition, in 2019. Some have won a group. But not a 36-team group, not one that contains everyone.
Liverpool’s excellence brings Arne Slot a new dilemma with unknown consequences
Slot on competition between Diaz and Gakpo
17:20 , Mike Jones
The Liverpool boss said: “It is a healthy competition between Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo. Our fans saw a few times already Luis Diaz playing as No.9 as well in one or two games this season.
“For the last five, six, seven or eight weeks we’ve had four players available for three positions, so we’ve rotated once in a while mostly the left wing and the nine positions [and] our right winger has always been Mo Salah until now.
“They’ve both had a lot of starts, they’ve both been excellent for us – Luis Diaz and Cody – but the other two have done very well, also. I am happy about all four of them, but you’re asking me [specifically] about the Colombian and I am really happy with Luis Diaz for as long as I’ve been here.
“Excellent work-rate, big threat, great footwork, can score goals, so a very special player for us.”
Girona vs Liverpool
17:15 , Mike Jones
Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch have played every minute of the Champions League campaign this season.
Girona vs Liverpool
17:10 , Mike Jones
Mohamed Salah is a goal away from the total of 50 in his Champions League career, including qualifiers – with 43 of his 49 so far coming while with the Reds.
He has scored six times in his last five club games and the Egyptian is two goals away from joining Billy Liddell (228 goals) in joint-fourth place on Liverpool’s all-time goalscoring list.
Girona vs Liverpool
17:05 , Will Castle
Arne Slot’s side have played 447 minutes since last conceding a goal in the Champions League.
Girona vs Liverpool
17:00 , Mike Jones
Liverpool are seeking to win each of their opening six games of a European campaign for only the second time ever. In 2021-22, they won all of their first seven fixtures.
Girona vs Liverpool
16:55 , Mike Jones
The Reds have won 15 of their last 20 away Champions League matches, including 10 of the last 12.
Girona vs Liverpool
16:50 , Will Castle
A victory at Estadi Montilivi would be the Reds’ 150th in the competition overall (inclusive of wins by penalty shootout).
Slot on significance of finishing top of the league
16:45 , Mike Jones
More from Liverpool’s manager who explained his feelings about trying to finish top of the Champions League table. He said: “It is so difficult to say anything about this. I have said it many times, but at the end of the season you can judge it in the best possible way – if it’s helpful to end up in the top eight, if it’s helpful to end up as No.1.
“Of course, it seems to be really helpful to end up first eight, but if every time you play your starters, which we have done until now almost every time, then you also need the results. We try to do this to, first of all, be in the highest possible position but also to skip the next round.
“If in the end it means by playing your starters always, skipping that round and still having a very difficult draw then we maybe are going to think about it differently next season, what we are going to do in the group stage. That is something we have to wait and see in the end of the season, where this will lead us.
“First of all, we want to stay in the top eight and therefore we think we need a win – and the first chance we have is tomorrow night.”
Girona team news
16:43 , Will Castle
Michel fields a team littered with ex-Premier League talent, with former Manchester United duo Donny van de Beek and Daley Blind reigniting their rivalry with the Reds. Arnaut Danjuma, who played in Everton colours last term, leads the line.
Girona XI: Gazzaniga; Juanpe, Krejci, Blind; Frances, Van de Beek, Romeu, Gutierrez; Asprilla, Gil; Danjuma.
Subs: Pau López, Lucas, Arnau, David López, Stuani, Abel Ruiz, Solís, Iván Martín, Portu, Selvi, Minsu
Arne Slot on Girona
16:40 , Mike Jones
The Liverpool boss spoke about his team’s opponents tonight saying: “I think it is really special what they’ve done here, particularly last season but even this season still.
“I’ve just made the comparison [in another interview] that they were close to becoming the Leicester City of [Spain] a few years ago [when] they were competing for the league title. With this budget, it probably means how good a manager Michel is. Even this season, I think they do better than the results might look, especially in the Champions League.
“I have seen almost every game and apart from the PSV [Eindhoven] game, they were in every game. They were unlucky against Paris Saint-Germain, I think they were a bit unlucky here against my former club Feyenoord when they conceded two own goals and missed a penalty, although Feyenoord missed one as well.
“So, they were in every game apart from the PSV Eindhoven one and that’s why we have to be on top of our game tomorrow to get a result over here.”
Alisson back, Kelleher ousted
16:38 , Will Castle
Our senior football correspondent Richard Jolly is at the Estadi Montilivi with the latest:
“Alisson does make his Liverpool comeback, meaning Caoimhin Kelleher’s last action of his 11-game stint in the team was to leave the Bruno Guimaraes free kick that Fabian Schar converted for Newcastle’s third goal last week. It was an inglorious spell to an excellent run in the team for the Irishman. In one of Arne Slot’s few other decisions, he has chosen Darwin Nunez to lead the line. Cody Gakpo is on the bench.”
Liverpool team news
16:35 , Will Castle
Arne Slot opts for arguably the strongest XI at his disposal as the Reds look to get back to winning ways this evening.
As expected, Alisson makes his return to the fold for the first time since the beginning of October.
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
Subs: Jaros, Kelleher, Endo, Gakpo, Elliott, McConnell, Norris, Quansah
Liverpool bid to maintain flying start
16:25 , Mike Jones
Arne’s Slot’s side have started the campaign superbly both domestically and in Europe and currently top of the Premier League and Champions League tables.
They were frustrated by the weather at the weekend as the Merseyside derby at Everton was postponed but will hope to maintain their momentum as they travel to Girona.
They are the only side to have won five from five in the competition and, after beating Real Madrid last time out, will be expected to chalk up another victory against a side with just three points so far.
Slot on Alisson’s possible return
16:20 , Mike Jones
Of Alisson potentially returning to the Liverpool team, Arne Slot said: “I think it speaks for itself if you can play with Alisson, who has been so outstanding for this club for so many years and for the Brazil national team.
“It’s definitely nice to have him back available. But if you look at how his replacement did, it is not going to be easy to do it even better. We expect definitely the same or on margins a bit better. Caoimh did so well we can say that we have two very good goalkeepers. Like we have with left wingers [Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo].
“For so many years Alisson has been so outstanding for this club that we are expecting and hoping that he will do the same for us in the upcoming weeks and months.”
Liverpool given boost with Alisson set for Champions League return
16:15 , Mike Jones
Alisson has returned to the Liverpool squad and could make his comeback in Tuesday’s Champions League tie with Girona.
The Brazil goalkeeper has missed 11 matches with a hamstring injury and manager Arne Slot welcomed him back, while warning he will have to excel to match the performances Caoimhin Kelleher produced in his absence.
The Ireland international saved a penalty from Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe in Liverpool’s last Champions League game and they won nine of the 11 matches Alisson has missed.
Liverpool given boost with Alisson set for Champions League return
Girona vs Liverpool prediction
16:10 , Mike Jones
Considering Liverpool’s incredible form in Europe and how the manager wants to instill a winning mentality into his team expect them to keep up their momentum and extend their lead at the top of the table. It’s hard to see anything but a win for the visitors tonight.
Girona 1-3 Liverpool.
Girona vs Liverpool predicted line-ups
16:05 , Mike Jones
Here’s how we see the two teams lining up this evening, given the latest injury updates from the managers as well as other factors:
Girona XI: Gazzaniga; A Martinez, Lopez, Krejci, Gutierrez; Martin, Romeu; Asprilla, Van de Beek, Danjuma; Miovski
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
What is the team news?
16:00 , Mike Jones
Arne Slot is unable to call upon Alexis Mac Allister for tonight’s match with the Argentine midfielder suspended after collecting too many yellow cards in the Champions League. He is one of six players set to miss out with Federico Chiesa, Kostas Tsimikas, Ibrahima Konate, Conor Bradley and Diogo Jota all on the sidelines through injury. Alisson is fit to start and could come straight back into the team.
For Girona, Arnau Martinez is available after serving a ban in the defeat to Sturm Graz. Yangel Herrera will be absent due to a calf injury and Viktor Tsygankov has an adductor issue. Jhon Solis will be assessed before the game to see if he can play a part. Former Premier League stars Bryan Gil (Spurs) and Arnaut Danjuma (Everton) could feature on the right side for the hosts.
Where can I watch?
15:55 , Mike Jones
The game will be shown live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 5pm GMT. Subscribers can also watch via the discovery+ app.
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When is the match?
15:50 , Mike Jones
Liverpool travel to face Girona at 5.45pm GMT on Tuesday 10 December at Estadi Montilivi in Girona, Spain.
Girona vs Liverpool
15:45 , Mike Jones
Liverpool hope to maintain their unbeaten record in the Champions League this season when they travel to Spain to take on Girona in the sixth round of fixtures during the league phase.
The Reds top the table after five wins from five including a stellar outing against La Liga champions Real Madrid last time out in this competition. Second half goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo secured a comfortable 2-0 win in a scoreline that didn’t reflect Liverpool’s dominance and control.
Mac Allister is suspended for tonight’s game so Arne Slot has limited options in terms of squad rotation meaning Girona can expect to face a fairly strong line-up.
The Spanish side are without a win in four games across all competitions and come into the match sitting 30th in the table, six places outside the playoff spots.
Good evening!
Monday 9 December 2024 11:43 , Mike Jones
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Champions League action as Girona host Liverpool.
Arne Slot’s side are looking to continue their winning run having triumphed in all five of their European matches this term. They sit top of the table and face a Girona team low on form and confidence.
The Spanish side have only one one game in Europe and look set for an early exit unless they can pull off a positive result against the Reds tonight.
We’ll have all the team news, line-ups and updates throughout the evening so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 5.45pm.
