Ten essential facts to know about Toulouse vs. Liverpool, where a victory guarantees knockouts

Two weeks after defeating Toulouse 5-1 in their first Europa League group match, the Reds are in France for their fourth group match of the competition.

Despite the disappointing draw at Luton going into the game, Klopp’s team will not lack motivation on Thursday night.

Everything you should know before the Toulouse encounter is here.

1. Van Dijk, Jones, and Gravenberch are not accessible

Because of a small hamstring issue, Curtis Jones was unable to go to Luton and will not be available until after the Brentford game on Sunday. The club chose not to take any risks with him.

Due to a minor knee injury, Ryan Gravenberch is also a significant absence, which forces Klopp to decide where to position his left midfield player.

Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk is still in Merseyside due to illness. The team has traveled with Luis Diaz.

Due to their individual long-term ailments, Stefan Bajcetic, Thiago, and Andy Robertson are still out of commission.

2. A victory in football ensures knockout

Additionally, the Reds will automatically win their group and skip the February knockout play-off round if Union SG loses to LASK in the other group game.

A successful qualifying here will provide the team some much-needed breathing room as they resume a hectic schedule following their November international break. Hopefully, this time they’ll take the easy route!

3. The hosts’ journey has not been easy.

Toulouse has now gone five games without a win after losing both of their games against the Reds two weeks ago by an overall score of 5-1.

In fact, they last won 1-0 against LASK in the competition’s second group match, which also marked the last time they maintained a clean sheet.

Thus, Liverpool will have plenty of opportunities to play the French team, who will probably use a 4-3-3 formation against the Reds after playing with a back five at Anfield.

4. Tips for fans who are on the road

Traveling Reds have plenty to look forward to on this, their first trip to Toulouse since 2007. We have some tips for those who plan to make the trip.

Reds player Nicolas Souyris, who is based in Toulouse, told This Is Anfield, “I am confident that the home fans will behave perfectly with us and that it’s going to be a big party of people celebrating European football.”

St Cyprien, Esquirol, Capitole, la Daurade, Jean Jaures, Jeanne d’Arc, Palais de Justice, Carmes, and François Verdier are your best bets if you’re searching for somewhere to hide out before and after the game.

The 33,150-seat Toulouse stadium promises a great atmosphere.

5. The start is early.

Though this match technically kicks off at 5.45 p.m. (GMT), don’t be fooled into believing it starts at 8 p.m. as we are accustomed to later kickoffs during the week.

This is true for every away game we have in the group stage, which is a pleasant deviation from our typical schedule.

It would provide us a lot of freedom for the final two games if this one ended similarly to our first away trip to Europe this season!

6. Will the Reds make ten more changes?

Klopp can rotate his squad more with another midweek match; he might only keep one player from the draw against Luton.

Alexis Mac Allister is the most likely candidate for the left-sided midfield position because he is suspended for Sunday’s game against Brentford and because there are other candidates who can fill the role.

Wataru Endo might be needed this coming weekend, but he should play with Harvey Elliott in Toulouse, who has started every game in this competition so far.

As long as Diaz is comfortable enough to play, Ben Doak can replace Cody Gakpo and Mo Salah in the starting lineup as he recovers from injury.

7. A team record is at stake

If his side triumphs, they will have accumulated more points than any other club in the history of the club in a Europa League group stage, exceeding the 10 points earned in 2010/11, 2012/13, and 2015/16.

The Reds won their group in all three of those seasons, but they will aim to emulate 2015–16 as it was the only one to make it to the championship game.

8. 3 with more than 1,000 minutes already

You do not want to see Alisson, Dominick Szoboszlai, or Salah anywhere close to the starting lineup this time around because they have already accumulated more than 1,000 minutes for Liverpool.

They are the type of players who want to play every game, but this is where careful management is needed and Liverpool should be able to get the job done without needing to call on the trio.

The only Reds players to have played more than 1,000 minutes this season are Salah (1,128 minutes), Szoboszlai (1,107 minutes), and Alisson (1,080 minutes), and they will be more needed on Sunday than they will be in Toulouse.

All of them have traveled, so maybe the Reds won’t require them.

9. The middle-positioned man

With Georgi Kabakov of Bulgaria taking the middle position, we have a fresh referee to examine; he has never managed Toulouse or Liverpool.

Despite the fact that he has previously officiated European matches for Man United, Everton, Tottenham, and West Ham.

The UK will be able to watch Toulouse vs. Liverpool live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage commencing at 5 p.m. before kickoff at 5.45 p.m.

However, if you’d rather hear some slanted analysis, check out our regular matchday live blog, where Sam Millne will be keeping you updated and amused starting at 5 p.m.

Let’s hoping we keep referee debate limited to the Premier League; we already have too many talking points about them.

10. How to keep up with the game

The UK will be able to watch Toulouse vs. Liverpool live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage commencing at 5 p.m. before kickoff at 5.45 p.m.

However, if you’d rather hear some slanted analysis, check out our regular matchday live blog, where Sam Millne will be keeping you updated and amused starting at 5 p.m.