Liverpool will take on RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday night looking to make it three wins from three.
The Reds have taken maximum points from their two games so far, dispatching AC Milan and Bologna.
And while Liverpool should be favourites having racked up 10 wins from 11 games so far this season, Leipzig are not a proposition to be taken lightly.
The Red Bull side are currently sitting level on points with Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga and are unbeaten in the opening seven games of their domestic campaign.
The Champions League has been a different story so far, with tricky games against Atletico Madrid and Juventus yielding two losses and zero points.
Nevertheless, Liverpool will be wary of the threat Die Roten Bullen pose. Marco Rose has some top players within his ranks, including Xavi Simons, who the Reds seemingly know all about already.
Xavi Simons excited to face Liverpool
Simons is a real jewel in the RB Leipzig squad. On-loan from PSG for a second season running, the Netherlands international has two goals and two assists in seven Bundesliga games this term.
A tricky and diminutive forward or attacking midfielder a little in the Harvey Elliott mould, Simons attracted plenty of interest during the summer transfer window just gone.
One of those said to be interested in making a move for the 21-year-old was Liverpool.
It was claimed in Germany that Liverpool were ‘extremely keen’ on signing Simons for around £67m and that the youngster has a connection with Reds head coach Arne Slot.
READ MORE: Liverpool’s predicted XI vs RB Leipzig as Arne Slot makes five changes
As a result, Simons is certainly a player worth keeping an eye on for Liverpool supporters during Wednesday’s game. And ahead of the match, the Dutchman was asked about the prospect of facing the Reds in a pre-match press conference.
“Obviously it’s going to be a special game tomorrow,” said Simons. “We all dream of playing in the Champions League. Playing against a team like Liverpool makes it even more special. We’re all aching to make it a special night tomorrow.
“Games like the one against Liverpool tomorrow are a dream and I can’t wait to experience it.”
Liverpool monitoring Castello Lukeba
Simons is certainly a player Liverpool should be keeping a close eye on during the clash with Leipzig.
Not only is he capable of really hurting the Reds on the night, but they should be watching to see if he really is a player who could be a legitimate transfer target.
And according to journalist Fabrice Hawkins, Liverpool are also likely to be keeping watch over at least one of Simons’ Leipzig teammates.
Reporting on X on Tuesday evening, Hawkins claimed that Liverpool are keen to sign Lukeba and could make a push at the end of the season.
Others such as Lois Openda will be worth tracking on the night, too; the striker is another who has been linked with the Reds in the past. Plenty to be excited about, then, and like Xavi, we can’t wait.
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