Following their sixth consecutive victory, Liverpool have secured a spot in the top 16 of the Champions League. The team aims to solidify their place in the top eight by defeating Lille at Anfield this Tuesday.
Liverpool's successful season continued with a 2-0 win against Brentford in the Premier League. The team is in good form and is expected to perform well in Europe.
Lille, currently third in Ligue 1 following a 2-1 win over Nice, also have the potential to automatically qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League after winning four out of six games in the League phase.
Team news
With Liverpool almost guaranteed a top-eight finish, Arne Slot may opt to rest some key players on Tuesday.
Diogo Jota is doubtful to play due to an injury sustained against Nottingham Forest, causing him to miss the Brentford match. Meanwhile, Joe Gomez remains sidelined for Liverpool.
Lille will be missing injured players Edon Zhegrova, Tiago Santos, and Ethan Mbappe for the Anfield game, while Matias Fernandez-Pardo is uncertain to feature.
The stats
A draw against Lille will be enough for Liverpool to secure a top-eight finish and advance to the last 16, given their strong performances so far with five wins out of six games in the competition, all without conceding a goal.
Liverpool has a trend of being level at half-time and then winning in their last three Champions League matches.
Lille is one of six teams in the standings between third and eighth place, all tied with 13 points. Moreover, they are currently on a 21-game unbeaten streak in all competitions.
Prediction
Liverpool had to rely on late goals from Darwin Nunez to secure a victory against Brentford in the Premier League. Their ability to finish strong has been evident this season under Slot, particularly in European games where they tend to dominate the second half.
It is likely that a cautious first half may unfold at Anfield on Tuesday before Liverpool takes charge in the second half to secure their spot in the last 16.
Despite Liverpool's strength, Lille's impressive unbeaten run should give them confidence. They have a chance to also secure a top-eight finish, having won their last two Champions League matches by a narrow margin against Bologna and Sturm Graz.