Champions League | League Stage

Dec 10, 2024 at 5.45pm UK

Estadi Municipal de Montilivi

Girona vs Liverpool

Match preview

Both Everton and Liverpool were hoping to cook up a storm in the final Premier League Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, but Storm Darragh had other ideas. The historic meeting was pushed back to a later date while the nation grappled with gale-force winds and torrential rain.

While Slot's side will probably have to work around another midweek fixture in 2025 when the derby is rescheduled, the postponement wasn't the worst news for the Premier League leaders, who still have a big lead over Arsenal and Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table.

The Reds could have done with a bit of a break after their 3-3 draw with Newcastle United at St James' Park. It ended their seven-game winning streak in all competitions, but it also kept Slot unbeaten away from home since he took over.

On a positive note, Liverpool have now scored multiple goals in each of their last nine games in all competitions. This includes their well-deserved 2-0 victory against Real Madrid in the Champions League on matchday five, which extended their perfect start to the revamped tournament.

Liverpool are two points clear at the top of the 36-team table and already assured of a place in the play-offs, at least. They're now aiming to continue their Iberian resurgence. The Reds have won each of their last two Champions League games away to Spanish clubs after failing to triumph in any of the previous eight.

On the other hand, Liverpool has faced stronger teams than Girona in Spain. Girona hasn't been as successful as they were in the 2023-24 La Liga campaign, when they finished third.

With key players like Artem Dovbyk, Savinho, Eric Garcia, Yan Couto and Aleix Garcia all leaving, Michel's new-look team have had a mixed start to the season in the top flight, taking 22 points from 16 matches to sit in eighth place in the rankings.

Tuesday's hosts have also had some tough lessons in the reality of the Champions League. They had a 2-0 win against Slovan Bratislava on matchday three, but then lost to Paris Saint-Germain, PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord and most recently Sturm Graz.

Girona are currently ranked 30th, which would mean they are knocked out at the first hurdle. Michel's side are not in the best shape as they welcome Liverpool, having lost 3-0 to Real Madrid on Saturday after being knocked out of the Copa del Rey by lower-tier UD Logrones on penalties.

However, the White and Reds did manage to win three home games in a row before Real Madrid easily beat them at the weekend. This gave the home crowd a bit of a boost before their first ever competitive meeting with Liverpool or any English team.

Recent Performance

Girona Champions League form:LLWLL

Girona form (all competitions):WWLDLL

Liverpool Champions League form:WWWWW

Liverpool form (all competitions):WWWWWD

Team News

Liverpool would have had to do without Alexis Mac Allister for the Merseyside derby due to suspension, but the Argentine is also banned for this one after a totting-up of yellow cards in the Champions League. His domestic punishment will roll over to Fulham next Saturday.

Mac Allister is one of seven Liverpool players who will be missing from the Girona tie. Alisson Becker (hamstring), Federico Chiesa (fitness) and Diogo Jota (abdominal) are close, but not quite there yet, while Kostas Tsimikas (ankle), Ibrahima Konate (knee) and Conor Bradley (hamstring) will be out for a little while longer.

It looks like Curtis Jones will be partnering Ryan Gravenberch in a deeper midfield position, with Mac Allister out of contention. If Mohamed Salah sets up a goal here, he'll have achieved a personal best assist tally in one UCL season. He already has four helpers in this season's tournament.

Girona will have right-back Arnau Martinez back in action after he served a European ban in the recent loss to Sturm Graz, but key winger Viktor Tsygankov is out with an adductor injury.

It looks like Yaser Asprilla will be starting on the right-hand side in place of Viktor Tsygankov. Meanwhile, it's between Tottenham Hotspur loanee Bryan Gil and former Everton player Arnaut Danjuma for the left-hand side.

Yangel Herrera is also out for the hosts because of a calf injury, and Colombian midfielder Jhon Solís needs to be checked over after a sprain that kept him out of the Real Madrid game.

Possible starting lineup

Girona possible starting lineup:

Gazzaniga; A Martinez, Lopez, Krejci, Gutierrez; Martin, Romeu; Asprilla, Van de Beek, Danjuma; Miovski

Liverpool possible starting lineup:

Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Diaz; Gakpo