The view from Salzburg: 'Haaland and Minamino the main threats'

Champions League holders Liverpool travel to Austria for Tuesday night's clash with Salzburg knowing a draw would make sure of progress from Group E.

The Reds will go through regardless of the result if Napoli lose at home to Genk in the other pool match, while Salzburg must win to have any chance of advancing.

Jesse Marsch's side narrowly lost 4-3 at Anfield earlier in the campaign, so can we expect another high-scoring affair at Red Bull Arena?

We spoke to Moritz Ablinger (@moritzzz_) of Austrian football magazine Ballesterer to get the lowdown...

What was the reaction like in Austria after the first game?

It was mainly admiration and pride, I think. Nobody gave them a chance at half-time. The match, I believe, really reinforced the impression that among the very good Salzburg teams of years past, this might be the best.

It was a close result at Anfield, what do you think Marsch learned from the encounter?

My hunch is that he will place a greater emphasis on defence and play it a bit more conservative this time.

What has Salzburg's form been like leading up to this second match?

They have struggled somewhat, relative to their standards at least. They 'only' won four out of their last seven league games, drawing the other three. 

It's a must-win game for Die Mozartstadter, how will that affect their approach to the match?

That is tough to say. It will depend on how Marsch sees the match-up: if he thinks Salzburg's defence will be able to control and withstand LFC's attack, they could try to play a very controlled game and hope to score from set-pieces and a few counter-attacks. I would expect for him to do this.

Or, they could just as well drop their guard and hope to score one more goal than Liverpool. Salzburg, I suspect, are pretty dangerous in such a mode. I do not expect that to be Marsch's approach, but if the former does not work, the latter will come into play at some point.

Prolific young forward Erling Haaland has been making big headlines across Europe, just how good is he?

He is the best striker the Austrian Bundesliga has seen in a very long time. He seems to have a special sense of where the ball is going to arrive; his ability to anticipate is something I have very, very rarely seen before. 

Furthermore, although his goals are almost never spectacular, his technique is superb - especially for a player of his size.

However, in recent weeks he has not been fully healthy. He sat out the match against St. Polten and hasn't played a full game since early November. This comes after already having to sit out two games in late September.

Which other players should Liverpool fans keep their eye on?

The Salzburg team features almost exclusively extremely dynamic players. Every one of them poses a threat. Haaland aside, Takumi Minamino may well be the best. Coming in from the right wing and seeing the pitch very well, he can create goals. 

However, as his eight goals across all competitions (including one at Anfield) can attest, he scores them, too.

How do you think Salzburg will line up?

I firmly believe that Salzburg will use the 4-4-2 they almost always play, their outside midfielders playing a pivotal role in the attack.

In which areas do you see this game being won and lost?

Salzburg's defence needs to defend with all 11 players. If their offensive players do not help them in defending, I do not see Salzburg winning the match - regardless of how many goals they may score themselves.

Which Liverpool player do Salzburg fear the most?

I still do not know how they plan to neutralise Sadio Mane. 

What is your score prediction for the match?

Liverpool winning 3-1