Toulouse’s trip to Anfield might present a more intricate challenge for Jurgen Klopp’s side than anticipated. As Liverpool gear up for this Europa League match-up on Thursday, there’s talk of Klopp potentially giving a breather to key players like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, considering their solid Premier League run.
While Liverpool, even with a slightly rotated squad, are expected to come out on top, Toulouse’s probable defensive approach might make this a less goal-heavy game.
Goals Could be at a Premium While ‘under 2.5 goals’ comes with attractive odds, the ‘under 3.5 goals’ bet, priced around even money, seems more tempting. Of Toulouse’s games this season, seven have had less than 2.5 goals, and ten under 3.5 goals. Notably, in fixtures against Ligue 1 powerhouses like PSG and Marseille, Toulouse held their own with a 1-1 and 0-0 result respectively.
Given potential changes in Liverpool’s starting XI, their attack might not be at its prolific best. A cautious Toulouse side would see a draw as a victory, especially as they’re aiming to maintain their second-place standing in Group E. While Liverpool matches usually have plenty of goals, three of their last four games saw fewer than 3.5 goals.
Reds’ Defence to Shine Though many Liverpool games have seen both teams score, the Reds have kept their opponents at bay in three of their last five home matches.
Predicting the score, a 2-0 victory for Liverpool seems probable. This mirrors their last two home results, and they’ve consistently netted two goals in their last trio of fixtures.
Keep an eye on Ryan Gravenberch, the midfield dynamo. After scoring against Union SG and assisting in Liverpool’s initial group stage game (a 3-1 triumph over LASK), he’s relishing this tournament. He seems a promising choice for an anytime goal in this clash.