Liverpool will qualify for the knock-out stage of the Champions League if they avoid defeat against Spartak Moscow on Wednesday.
Jurgen Klopp's side narrowly lead the way in Group E after five games, but things are delicately poised and they could potentially tumble into the Europa League if they suffer defeat at Anfield.
The teams could not be separated when they met in Moscow back in September, playing out a 1-1 draw, but Liverpool will be full of confidence, particularly at home.
| Game | Liverpool vs Spartak Moscow |
| Date | Wednesday, December 6 |
| Time | 19:45 GMT / 14:45 ET |
TV CHANNEL & LIVE STREAM
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In the United Kingdom (UK), viewers can watch the match live on television on BT Sport 2 as well as being able to stream live online using the BT Sport app.
| UK TV channel | Online stream |
|---|---|
| BT Sport 2 | BT Sport app |
In the United States (US), the Champions League can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial).
New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.
SQUADS & TEAM NEWS
| Position | Liverpool players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Mignolet, Karius |
| Defenders | Lovren, Gomez, Klavan, Moreno, Robertson, Flanagan, Alexander-Arnold |
| Midfielders | Wijnaldum, Milner, Coutinho, Henderson, Grujic, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Can |
| Forwards | Firmino, Salah, Sturridge, Mane, Solanke |
Liverpool will be able to call upon defenders Ragnar Klavan and Joe Gomez, but the game comes too soon for Joel Matip. Klopp used two central midfielders in defence in the 5-1 win over Brighton at the weekend and he may opt to do the same on Wednesday.
The Reds will also be without Adam Lallana, who is edging nearer to a return to full fitness, while long-term absentee Nathaniel Clyne is not in the Champions League squad.
Potential Liverpool starting XI: Karius; Lovren, Klavan, Can, Gomez; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Coutinho; Salah, Mane, Firmino.
| Position | Spartak Moscow players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Rebrov, Selikhov, Maksimenko |
| Defenders | Bochetti, Dzhikiya, Tasci, Eshchenko, Kutepov, Rasskazov |
| Midfielders | Zobnin, Petkovic, Pasalic, Fernando, Glushakov, Samedov, Popov, Bakaev, Samsonov, Promes, Melgarejo |
| Forwards | Pedro Rocha, Ze Luis, Luis Adriano |
Massimo Carrera has taken a 23-man squad to Merseyside for the game against Liverpool.
A number of players are unavailable due to injuries, including defenders Georgi Tigiev and Dmitri Kombarov as well as midfielder Jano Ananidze.
Potential Spartak Moscow starting XI: Selikhov; Bochetti, Petkovic, Tasci, Kutepov; Popov, Fernando, Promes, Pasalic; Ze Luis, Luis Adriano.
BETTING & MATCH ODDS
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Home side Liverpool are favourites to win at 1/5 according to dabblebet, while Spartak Moscow are rated at 12/1 to beat the Reds. A draw at Anfield is considered an 11/2 bet.
Mohamed Salah has been one of Liverpool's most prolific players in recent weeks and the Egypt international is 11/4 to score first.
GAME PREVIEW
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Liverpool have put together an eight-match unbeaten streak and they come into the game against Spartak having beaten Brighton 5-1 in their last match.
The attacking prowess of Klopp's side this season has been well documented, with players such as Salah, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane providing a fearsome trident going forward. However, while they are incredibly adept at scoring, they have also been defensively suspect.
That fact was, perhaps, most aptly summed up when they surrendered a 3-0 lead against Sevilla to draw 3-3 in their last continental outing.
A draw in this case would see Liverpool through to the next stage, but Klopp has emphasised the importance of ensuring victory as they hope to be seeded for the last-16 draw.
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