Why Liverpool v RB Leipzig holds passing interest for Southwick 1882 FC

That's because their opponents RB Leipzig have twice been managed by Ralf Rangnick - who played for the Wickers just over 40 years ago.

Last autumn when Southwick were campaigning to return to Old Barn Way, they received a message of support from Rangnick, who played for the Wickers in 1980 during his time in the area as a young student.

Rangninck went on to become one of the most sought-after managers in the world, coaching German clubs Schalke 04 and now Leipzig - who were Champions League semi-finalists last year.

Rangnick left Leipzig in 2019 and has recently told the media he was a contender for the Chelsea job since taken by Thomas Tuchel, and was in the frame for the vacant England job in 2016 before Sam Allardyce took over, albeit briefly.

Rangnick donated £1000 to the ‘Bring Home The Wickers’ campaign. He will have been pleased to see our story last week confirming that Southwick can return to Old Barn Way as part of a new lease issued by Adur District Council which will see the site run by the Russell Martin Foundation.

Meanwhile the Leipzig-Liverpool tie will be played in Budapest, Hungary, after Jurgen Klopp and his squad were banned from travelling to Germany. Germany has prohibited most travel from countries hit hard by new variants of Covid-19, including the UK.

Bundesliga club Leipzig were told the fixture "did not meet the requirements for an exception" and the game will now take place at Budapest's Puskas Arena tomorrow (Tues,Feb 16). The second leg will be played on March 10 at Anfield.