Tuesday 17 October, 19:45 BST
Live on BT Sport
Mission complete for Slovenians
The hosts are back in the group stage of the Champions League for the first time since 2014. They had to come through three rounds of qualifying to get this far and they have already met their expectations, no matter how they get on in Group E.
The Slovenian champs were beaten 3-0 in Sevilla in the last round of fixtures but prior to that they came from behind to draw 1-1 at home against Spartak Moscow. The likelihood is that they are in a battle with the Russians for third place and entry to the Europa League, but they are odds-on to finish bottom.
In their domestic league, Darko Milanič's side are in second place with 28 points from their opening dozen fixtures and they come into the game on the back of a 2-1 win at Rudar on Friday.
Maximum points a must for Liverpool
The Reds were left frustrated at Anfield on Saturday as they could only draw 0-0 with Manchester United, in a game that they dominated. It was their third draw in a row in all competitions, but the good news was that they kept a clean sheet.
Despite that welcome shutout, Jurgen Klopp has announced that Simon Mignolet will be rotated out of the team for countryman, Loris Karius, which continues the trend of the German playing in Liverpool's Champions League group games.
There won't be much other rotation though according to the manager, and that makes sense as Liverpool need to take the maximum six points from their back-to-back matches against their weakest opponents.
The absence of Sadio Mane is a concern, but NK Maribor are hardly the best team in the world and Klopp has plenty of other firepower to call on.
A heavy away victory is the value
Despite my relative certainty that this will be an away win, I can't recommend backing it at 1.19. The hosts have never won a Champions League group game and their only hope is that the Liverpool defence sink to new depths of disaster.
If you think Lovren and co. will entertain the Maribor attack, then a shock win for the hosts is available to back at around the 22.00 mark, with the draw at 8.40. I wouldn't be wasting my money on a speculative punt like that though, especially when there is better value to be had elsewhere.
In the Correct Score market, you can get 'Any Other Away Win' at 3.40 and that basically means Liverpool to win the game and score four or more goals. They have already put four past Arsenal and Hoffenheim this season, and if the attack click, anything is possible with this group of players.
Reds to rediscover their mojo in front of goal
There is a heavy favourite in the Over/Under 2.5 market as well as the former is 1.58 to the latter's 2.70. A glance at the recent stats of the respective teams would arguably make Under 2.5 a decent price as Liverpool have seen five of their last six go under, while Maribor have had three out of their last seven - including a pair of 0-0's.
I'm not of that persuasion though as I definitely think that there will be goals in this one. I've already tipped an away win with four or more goals scored, so I'm hardly going to side with unders here.
The Betfair Exchange has goal markets all the way up to 8.5 goals, and while I'm not getting too carried away, I think Over 5.5 Goals at a generous 9.40 is worth considering.
Recommended Bets
Back 'Any Other Away Win' @ 3.40
Back Over 5.5 Goals @ 9.40
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