Liverpool host Sevilla in the Champions League this evening.
Pundit Charlie Nicholas has told Sky Sports that he thinks Liverpool will beat Sevilla 2-0 in the Champions League this evening.
The Reds endured a nightmare on Saturday afternoon, as they suffered a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City, with Jurgen Klopp’s defence being cut through at will in a disastrous showing.
Liverpool will point to Sadio Mane’s red card in the first half, which came for a high boot in a challenge with Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, as a reason for their defeat, but the defending simply wasn’t good enough throughout.
Now, Liverpool must turn their attention to the Champions League, as the Reds qualified for the group stage of the competition having beaten Hoffenheim in the play-off round last month.
Klopp faces a potentially tricky group, with Sevilla, Spartak Moscow and Maribor all set to face the Reds – but it’s Sevilla up first, as the Spaniards head to Anfield for their opening match of the competition this season.
Liverpool met Sevilla in the final of the Europa League in 2016, with the Andalusians running out 3-1 winners on that occasion, and Liverpool will be looking to exert some revenge on them tonight.
With Philippe Coutinho potentially in the running for an appearance, pundit Charlie Nicholas has offered his prediction for the game, telling Sky Sports that he thinks Liverpool will claim a 2-0 victory.
Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho (L) and Sadio Mane in training
Nicholas believes that Sevilla simply aren’t the side they were in years gone by, noting that ex-Manchester City duo Nolito and Jesus Navas have both arrived this summer, but thinks Liverpool will run out winners thanks to the atmosphere generated at Anfield on European nights.
“Sevilla won 3-0 at the weekend but they are not quite the force they have been in previous seasons,” said Nicholas. “Nolito has gone there, Jesus Navas has gone back and they’ve also got threats in Wissam Ben Yedder and Luis Muriel.”
“However, the European nights are back at Liverpool without the strain of the play-offs so the magic back should be back. Anfield and Celtic Park are my two favourites grounds on a European night. It really is a huge advantage for them and I can see them making a winning start with Sadio Mane making amends for his controversial sending off at Manchester City at the weekend,” he added.
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