RB Leipzig vs Liverpool LIVE: Plus Man City vs Sparta Prague updates

Didi Hamann, former Liverpool midfielder, speaking to Flashscore:

It's a massive evening for Darwin Nunez tonight.

It's fair to say, he has had his fair share of criticism since joining Liverpool in 2022.

The arrival of Arne Slot was expected to give the Uruguayan a new lease of life, but he hasn't quite kicked into gear yet.

Nunez has only netted once in eight games in all competitions this season which is hardly setting the world alight.

But to be fair to him, he has only started three of those games.

Tonight is the perfect opportunity for him to get on the scoresheet and prove to Slot he has what it takes to start.

Will he take it?

That’s a strong XI for Liverpool but this will be a tough test at Leipzig, who are second in the Bundesliga but level on points with leaders Bayern Munich. The atmosphere is building and the beer flowing in the nearby fan park here. Should be a good match.

Just the five changes from Pep Guardiola.

Stefan Ortega takes his place in goal while Manuel Akanji and the returning Nathan Akanji join him at the back.

Phil Foden is given a spot back fin the starting line-up, while Matheus Nunes comes in for Mateo Kovacic.

Very strong.

That's a very strong Leipzig side.

Xavi Simons, Lois Openda, and Benjamin Sesko all start for the hosts in what is a very attacking team.

Peter Gulacsi will face his old club once again he starts between the sticks.

Not too much rotation from Arne Slot.

The Dutchman has handed Darwin Nunez a start with Diogo Jota out injured. It's a big chance for the striker to deliver.

Alexis Mac Allister also returns, replacing Sunbday's man of the Match Curtis Jones, while Kostas Tsimikas is in for Andy Robertson.

Not a bad team, eh?

Manchester City's Champions League form at the Etihad is utterly ridiculous.

They are unbeaten in their last 32 home fixtures in the competition, winning 28 of those games.

If they avoid defeat tonight, they will have the third-highest home unbeaten streak in the competition's history.

Bayern Munich have the highest with 43 games which was ended in 1991, while Barcelona managed 38 up to 2020.

Crazy numbers.

John Barnes, former Liverpool midfielder, speaking to Lucky Block:

You know we are getting into the thick of a new season when the injury lists start to grow and grow.

Arne Slot's first two months were blessed with little to no injuries, which was a huge help to the Dutchman as he bedded in at Liverpool.

Well, now his squad is starting to get a little more stretched.

After hobbling off at the weekend against Chelsea, Diogo Jota will not be unavailable in Germany this evening.

He joins Alisson, Harvey Eliott, Conor Bradley, and Federico Chiesa on the sidelines.

There are some important players in that list...

However, Slot's squad depth is good enough that those injuries should not affect his team too much tonight.

It doesn't mean it definitely won't, though.

The Red Bull Arena is a piece of art.

It's one of my favourite stadiums in world football. It is built within the exterior of the old ground, preserving its history.

It can create one hell of an atmosphere too, Manchester United fans can tell you that.

However, it's eerily silent for now...

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City boss, speaking on Tuesday:

It's not often Manchester City face a side for the first time, these days.

Well, they are this evening, who'd have thought it?

The Premier League champions are playing host to Sparta Prague, who hail from Czechia.

Unlike if you are hosting a party and meeting somebody for the first time, City aren't going to try to make the visitors feel comfortable.

It's the type of game where I can foresee an absolute drubbing.

I mean, Liverpool netted 11 goals against Sparta Prague in two games in the Europa League last year.

However, the Czech side do seem a little better in Europe this season. they are actually on the same points as City at the moment - four.

So, maybe I am judging them too harshly.

Arne Slot, Liverpool boss, speaking on Tuesday:

Too soon?

I bet Liverpool never thought they'd be facing a side this season that are under the watchful eye of Jurgen Klopp.

Well, they are today... sort of.

Leipzig come under the umbrella of Red Bull, who Jurgen Klopp will begin working for as Global Head of Soccer in January.

So, there will be no reunion tonight - we don't think - but maybe again in the future.

Either way, with the Reds in the form they are in and the attacking ability Leipzig possess, tonight could be a belter.

I mean, Liverpool are most certainly the favourites, but at the Red Bull Arena, anything can happen.

I am extremely excited about this one, aren't you?

Now it's time to do it all again.

Consider last night as the appetiser, because this evening's menu is looking like a tasty one.

Here are all of this evening's fixtures:

Have we all recovered from last night yet?

It's taken me a while, but I am just coming around after an eventful night of action.

The craziest match of the evening had to be the replay of last year's Champions League final.

Borussia Dortmund raced into a 2-0 lead over Real Madrid, stunning the Bernabeu as they led at half-time.

But then the 15-time champions did what they do best. They managed to turn it around and win 5-2, with Vinicius Jnr scoring a hat-trick. Pure carnage, but inevitable.

Then there was Aston Villa, who made it three wins from three with a 2-0 victory over Bologna.

Jhon Duran netted once more but also had a little hissy fit in the dugout after being substituted. It was quite the spectacle.

The result means that the Villans are top of the league table, having yet to concede a goal.

They are in utter dreamland, I bet they never thought this would be how their return would pan out. It's truly incredible.

And last but not least there was Arsenal, who rose to fourth by scraping a 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Gunners made it hard for themselves, with Leandro Trossard missing a penalty, but David Raya once again came up trumps for them in net.

Right, you got all that?

There's no rest for the wicked when the Champions League is about.

We were treated to a tasty night of action yesterday evening, with a total of 27 goals being banged in - not bad, eh?

Aston Villa and Arsenal both continued their fine form, with the Villans maintaining their perfect start to go top of the 36-team table.

But now it's the turn of two of English football's against - Liverpool and Manchester City.

Both have been getting results left, right and centre this season so far, no matter the competition.

They will need to keep that form up tonight, that's for sure.

The Reds face a tough trip to Leipzig while City host Sparta Prague as the Premier League's top two look to continue their unbeaten start to the competition.

Like if you were on Nemisis Inferno at Thorpe Park (or Alton Towers), strap yourselves in everyone.

It's going to be a bumpy ride.