RB Leipzig, an In-Depth Look at Liverpool’s UCL Opponents

Liverpool travel to Germany on Wednesday, where they will face a familiar face in RB Leipzig. Red Bull’s flagship team have become one of the most disliked clubs across the continent and especially in Germany.

However, no one can question the clubs credentials when it comes to talent ID and production, as us Liverpool fans know very well, with Ibou Konate and Szobo both making the journey from the East German city.

The only time the Reds have faced Leipzig was during the disappointing 2020/21 season, when both legs of the Round of 16 tie was played at the Puskas Arena in Hungary due to restrictions in Germany.

Since the last meeting, Leipzig have had a plethora of different managers, but have found, what seems to be, a long term solution in, Marco Rose. The former Dortmund manager took over Leipzig in September 2022 and has looked extremely good at the helm of the club.

Tactics

This season Rose has interchanged his formations with the two primary shapes used being a 4-4-2 and a 3-4-3. The German has been using a universally under used tactic this season with two strikers in the starting XI more often then not.

Young Red Bull academy graduate Benjamin Sesko and the electric Lois Openda have been a good partnership so far this season.

In the build up of play Rose likes his team to setup in a 4-2-2-2, it creates a huge overload in the middle of the park allowing for the full-backs to exploit the space out wide.

But, Rose does use a fluid mindset for him and his tactics. He often uses one of his defensive midfielders to drop into the back line to create a back three and to allow the full-backs to become wing backs.

When looking further forward, Leipzig will often look to get the ball quickly into one of the two attacking midfielders, who are mainly deployed in the space between the defence and midfield. When the ball reaches these players the two speedy strikers will often look to make runs in behind.

On the other side of the ball, Leipzig are much like many other German outfits, as they love to press high up the pitch, with five players often pushed right up against the defence of the opposition.

When losing the ball Rose likes his team to setup in a compact 4-4-2, not wanting his team to drop to far though.

Star Players

Over the years Leipzig have had a huge amount of talent, and that is no different in this seasons team.

Xavi Simons, spent last season on loan at the club and has signed on for another year from PSG. The young Dutchman has been fantastic since going to Germany reaching double figures in both goals and assists last season, and has made his way to six goal contributions in all competitions so far this season.

He can play on the wing and in the No.10 role, which is where Rose deploys him. With his great vision and dribbling ability, he will most certainly cause the Liverpool midfield and defence a lot of problems.

Another player to look out for is the previously mentioned Lois Openda. The Belgian striker has got four goals so far this season, being Leipzig top scorer. His electric pace and underrated technical ability are sure to cause the Liverpool back line some problems.

Current Form 

Leipzig sit second in the Bundesliga, level on points with league leaders Bayern Munchen. They are unbeaten in the league, drawing two games and winning the other five, including an impressive win against last seasons champions Bayer Leverkusen.

Despite there great start domestically, they have lost both of their opening games in the Champions League, in two tough fixtures against Atletico Madrid and Juventus.