The view from Salzburg: 'Erling Haaland is phenomenal'

The visitors head into the first-ever meeting between the clubs sitting top of Group E having beaten Genk 6-2 on matchday one.

Salzburg won their sixth successive Austrian Bundesliga title last season and are in pole position once again this term, despite changing managers in the summer.

So, what can we expect from Sadio Mane and Naby Keita's former club at Anfield? We spoke to Austrian football expert Tim Armitage (@FussballTim_) to find out...

Tell us about new manager Jesse Marsch. How do the fans view him?

Marsch, a former USA national team player, took his first management job in 2012, but it wasn't until 2015 that he joined the Red Bull franchise, taking the reins of New York Red Bulls for three years before making the move to Germany, where he became Ralf Rangnick's [former sports director for Salzburg] assistant at Leipzig. Despite initial concerns, fans and media alike have warmed to Marsch, with the results of his team on the field and the positive impressions he has given off the field speaking for themselves.

What is the American coach doing differently to his predecessor?

[Marco] Rose had left Salzburg in excellent shape, although several key players left in the summer (something the club are used to!), therefore Marsch hasn't needed to make any significant changes to the squad or the club's playing style. 

One system change Marsch has made was to switch from a 4-1-2-1-2 to a 4-2-2-2, which has given the front four players a lot more attacking freedom. Similarly to Rose, Marsch has also developed a three-at-the-back formation as an alternative too.

Like Liverpool, Salzburg are currently five points clear at top of their domestic league - are there any other similarities with the Reds?

Marsch himself outlined in a recent interview with The Times just how similar Salzburg and Liverpool are from a playing style point of view: "It is a terrible match-up for us in one sense because all the things we do well they are better at... they like games to feel the same way that we like them to feel, so I think stylistically, it will be a big challenge for us but we will also make things difficult for them."

How far do Salzburg expect to go in the Champions League this season?

Salzburg were under no illusions that the Champions League group stage would be tougher than the Europa League groups, where they have enjoyed a lot of success over the past few seasons. However, getting out of this group into the knockout rounds should be their aim, with any further progress a bonus.

Erling Haaland made headlines across Europe with his hat-trick against Genk on matchday one. Just how good is the young forward?
 
Simply put, Haaland is phenomenal. At just 19 years of age, he is a physical specimen. Despite being strong and good in the air, he also has a good turn of pace and his finishing in front of goal is excellent. He has a winner's mentality and there is no doubt in my mind he will go on to become a superstar.

Who else should Liverpool fans keep an eye out for in the Salzburg side?

Salzburg have so many talents throughout their squad, but one name that has been synonymous with British gossip columns is Dominik Szoboszlai. The Hungarian teenager has not been able to regularly cement his name in Salzburg's starting XI this season, but his vision and technical ability at such a young age is like nobody else I've seen in Austria. Szoboszlai will also be a big threat from set-pieces too, and he recently scored his first senior international goal with a direct free-kick against Slovakia.

Is there a 'new Sadio Mane' in the ranks?

Salzburg's Patson Daka fits a similar mould to Mane. The 20-year old Zambian international can play on the wings or up front and has already scored several key goals this season. Daka is extremely quick, with a strong eye for goal but he is not yet the finished article. Getting Champions League experience at such a young age is only going to help him develop into a player who could be good enough to play in the Premier League in the future.

Where do you see the match being won and lost at Anfield?

Salzburg's defensive discipline. The defence are going to need to have the best 90 minutes of their lives if they are going to get anything out of this game. Salzburg are going to Anfield to win this game and will look to put a lot of pressure on Liverpool when out of possession and I believe this will mean that they will have chances - but I also know that Liverpool will do the exact same thing to Salzburg! In games that Salzburg have lost in recent years (and there are not that many to choose from), it's often come due to defensive mistakes, a poor defensive line or from over-committing to their own attacking set-pieces.

How will Salzburg line up against Liverpool?

What is your prediction for the match?

Goals and lots of them. Salzburg aren't to be underestimated and they will throw everything at Liverpool, but I imagine Liverpool's superiority will shine through. 4-2 to Klopp's team.