Salzburg players celebrate Erling Braut Haland's goal against Genk in the Champions League group stages
Salzburg players celebrate Erling Braut Haland's goal against Genk in the Champions League group stages

Liverpool v FC Red Bull Salzburg preview: A look at Salzburg's history and star men ahead of Champions League clash with European champions


Salzburg made a big splash in their first Champions League game this season, find out more about Liverpool's opponents at Anfield on Wednesday.

A 6-2 victory against Genk raised a few eyebrows in the first set of Champions League group games, but now Salzburg face a huge test as they visit the home of the defending champions.

A memorable Anfield European night awaits, but you sense that Salzburg's swash-buckling side will relish the chance to test themselves against the very best.

But how much do we know about the free-scoring Austrians?

Here the PA news agency looks at what lies ahead for Jurgen Klopp's side.

No previous meetings

This will be the first time the teams have ever met in European competition, Salzburg becoming Liverpool's 129th different opponent and the 76th they have met in this competition. They are the fourth side from Austria to face the Reds following Austria Vienna, Swarovski Tirol and AK Graz - Salzburg assistant coach Rene Aufhauser was in the Graz team that won at Anfield in 2004.

The English teams Salzburg have previously faced are Blackburn (UEFA Cup 2006-07) and Manchester City (Europa League 2010-11), losing on both visits to England and conceding five times without scoring.

Making the most of the Champions League

This is Salzburg's 15th season of Champions League football, their 23rd in major European competition, but their first appearance in the group stage since 1994-95. Since then they have lost in qualifying 13 times. They made up for lost time with a resounding 6-2 home win over Genk.

Famous names

The club have built a reputation of discovering and nurturing top talent, with the careers of Liverpool's Sadio Mane and Naby Keita both having taken a significant step forward in Austria. Their latest star is Erling Braut Haaland, son of former Leeds and Manchester City player Alf-Inge, who became the first player in Champions League history to score a first-half hat-trick on his debut in the competition. Haaland has already scored four hat-tricks this season, in a tally of 17 goals in nine matches.

Red Bull sponsorship

The energy drink company's takeover of the club, previously known as Austria Salzburg, in 2005 was controversial on many fronts. Red Bull renamed the club and changed its colours from its traditional violet and white to red and white.

The change resulted in some of the team's fans forming a new club, which they named Austria Salzburg. Due to certain sponsorship restrictions the club are known as FC Salzburg and wear a modified crest when playing in UEFA competitions. Pre-takeover the club had won three Austrian Bundesliga titles in 72 years; post-takeover they have added a further 10 in 14 plus six Austrian Cup victories.

Read our Champions League preview as Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona return to action
Read our Champions League preview as Liverpool, Chelsea and Barcelona return to action

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