Pep Lijnders suffers another Champions League blow after Liverpool loanee decision
Latest Liverpool news and gossip as former Reds assistant manager Pep Lijnders is still searching for his first point in the Champions League with Red Bull Salzburg
Former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders is still on the hunt for his first Champions League point with Red Bull Salzburg after a defeat to Brest. Lijnders, who followed Jurgen Klopp out of Anfield in the summer to take over at Austrian side Salzburg, has had a mixed start to his tenure.
Despite securing four wins from six matches domestically, Salzburg's European campaign has been less successful. Lijnders and Co. suffered a 3-0 loss to Sparta Prague in their opening match and were beaten 4-0 by Brest on Tuesday night, reports Liverpool.com.
It was a disappointing evening for those with Liverpool ties, as Stefan Bajcetic was benched until the final 13 minutes and Bobby Clark was substituted after an hour. Bajcetic will be keen to reclaim his spot in the team when domestic action resumes this weekend.
The Liverpool loanee, who was a regular starter before being benched for the Champions League game, left the Reds on loan before deadline day to reunite with Lijnders in Austria.
Clark also left Liverpool during the summer transfer window, but instead on a permanent deal. The 19-year-old completed a £10 million move away from Anfield after enjoying his breakthrough season with the Reds last term.
Despite early promise with a disallowed goal from Samson Baidoo, Salzburg failed to capitalise on opportunities and Brest scored three goals in nine minutes.
Mahdi Camara extended Brest's lead, Abdallah Sima scored his second, and substitute Mathias Pereira Lage sealed the victory moments after coming on.
Lijnders and his Salzburg side will now look ahead to their next Champions League clash against Dinamo Zagreb after the October international break. Following this match, they face away games against Feyenoord, Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid, as well as home ties against Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid.
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