KEY POINTS

  • Liverpool need a win or draw against Salzburg to proceed
  • Liverpool are the defending champions
  • The Reds defeated Salzburg 4-3 at Anfield in October

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has insisted that his boys will "run for their lives" and will "go for everything" against Redbull Salzburg in their Champions League fixture Tuesday night.

The Reds can progress to the Round of 16 with a win or draw in Austria or with a defeat, provided Napoli also lose to Genk at home. But, the defending champions will be eliminated if Napoli win and Salzburg defeat Klopp’s team by the same scoreline or better than their 4-3 defeat at Anfield in October.

This is for a third straight season when this Liverpool side is in a situation like this on the final matchday of the group stage. Ahead of the crucial match Tuesday, the fact that they made it to the next round the last two times will boost their confidence.

Jurgen Klopp, Roberto Firmino, Georginio Wijnaldum
Liverpool manager Jugen Klopp with Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino Reuters

Not underestimating Salzburg at all, Klopp said that they sure can defeat Liverpool as it's football and that is possible but he also warned the opponents that Liverpool are "not a typical Champions League winner of last year or finalist of two years before as they are still ambitious like crazy."

"Salzburg has to win against us, has to win against Liverpool; it’s possible because it’s football, but we are not a typical Champions League winner of last year or finalist of two years before. We are still ambitious like crazy, we will go for everything, we will run for our lives – that’s what we are, plus playing football. It’s not that we come here and think that we have to dominate Salzburg, we will fight in each challenge, 100%," the German manager told the media during a press conference on the eve of the match.

Tuesday night's match is the beginning of Liverpool's tenuous schedule of nine games until Jan. 5. Klopp's boys have an absurd record as they are set to become the first top-flight team to play in five different competitions in a span of 27 days. Apart from the Champions League, Liverpool will play in the Premier League, Carabao Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, and FA Cup.