European champions Liverpool will be aiming to get their UEFA Champions League campaign firing as they clash with Austrian outfit Red Bull Salzburg at Anfield on Wednesday evening.

Jurgen Klopp’s troops had a poor start to the defence of their crown in matchday one as they put in an uninspired performance in a 2-0 loss to Napoli, the goals coming from Dries Mertens and Fernando Llorente. Meanwhile, Jesse Marsch’s troops picked up a brilliant result in their first-ever Champions League group stage match as they thumped Genk 6-2 at home.

Those respective results have seen the odds of both teams qualifying alter slightly, with Salzburg now ahead of the Belgian outfit at odds of 9/1 with Betfred to retain top spot in Group E throughout the remainder of the group games. Despite currently holding the Champions League trophy, the Reds are now second to win the group and can be backed at a price of 6/5.

If Liverpool do harbour any hopes of continuing their stunning run in Europe having reached the last two finals, a win at Anfield could well be crucial. They will take inspiration from their all-time record against Austrian sides in European competition though. Having played six matches against the likes of Austria Vienna, FC Tirol Innsbruck and Grazer AK, the Reds have won four matches and drawn and lost one respectively. They are at overwhelming favourites to continue their positive form and are priced at 3/10 with Paddy Power to chalk up another victory. Salzburg, meanwhile, are available at 15/2 with a draw at 9/2.

Another huge advantage for Klopp’s troops is that the game is simply on home soil, a place that they have not lost since a 2-1 reverse to Chelsea in the League Cup back in September 2018. As a matter of fact, they have not failed to score more than two goals in a game at Anfield since February. A smart bet then could be for Liverpool to win and over 1.5 goals to be scored and that is priced at 4/11.

It too could well be an emotional night for a couple of players on Wednesday evening. Both Sadio Mane and Naby Keita both represented the Austrian outfit and whilst the latter is out through injury, the forward could well be keen to open the scoring. Having hit six goals in all competitions so far this season, he is available at 10/3 with William Hill to strike first.

Salzburg have their own attacking star though in the form of Erling Braut Haland. The Norwegian forward has been in red-hot form this season and got a hat-trick against Genk. The 19-year-old is at 15/2 to score first at Anfield.