CL: Genk banking on star striker Mbwana Ally Samatta against Liverpool

Washington While Liverpool hope to have Mohamed Salah back alongside Sadio Mane in attack in time for Wednesdays Champions League meeting with Genk in Belgium their opponents have their own African forward who is a superstar in his home country Mbwana Ally Samattas 23 league goals last season helped fire the unfashionable club from an old mining hub in the Dutchspeaking north of Belgium to the league title and a return to Europes leading club competitionThe 26yearold then became the first Tanzanian to play in the Champions League and marked the occasion by scoring on an otherwise miserable night for Genk as they lost 62 in Salzburg in their Group E opener Since then they have held Napoli to a 00 draw at home a result which gives an unfancied side hope they can spring a surprise against the reigning European championsSome people thought it might be very difficult for us against Napoli but we could have won that game so we will see We will give everything at home said Genk coach Felice Mazzu at the weekend Just as Genk have brought through and sold on the likes of Thibaut Courtois Kevin De Bruyne Kalidou Koulibaly Christian Benteke and Wilfred Ndidi in recent years Divock Origi also spent time here as a youngster so key members of last seasons titlewinning side were allowed to leaveHowever Samatta stayed despite interest from around Europe including a reported 10 millioneuro 112m offer from Dynamo Moscow He is a complete forward good with both feet technical skilful said Mazzu in an interview with French magazine So FootIn footsteps of Lukaku KompanyThe former Simba and TP Mazembe star took the Ebony Shoe prize for the best player of African origin in Belgium last season succeeding the likes of Romelu Lukaku Vincent Kompany and Marouane Fellaini He described winning the league as maybe the best night of my life so far Since then though the player nicknamed Samagoal featured and scored once for Tanzania at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt a campaign that ended with a groupstage elimination for the Taifa StarsAs well as that one strike in the Champions League Samatta has five league goals this season albeit none since late August He will hope to start afresh then on his return after using the recent international break to get married an event documented on his Instagram account which has 12 million followers Many of those fans will be eager to see how he gets on against Liverpool as Genk look to end a dreadful run of 14 games without a win in the competition properThe Anfield club are looking to end a streak of their own here they have lost their last four away matches in the group stage including a 20 defeat at Napoli last month A dramatic 43 win over Salzburg has since kickstarted their campaign but Jurgen Klopps side saw their perfect start to the Premier League season end on Sunday in a 11 draw at Manchester UnitedAfter eight straight victories they needed a late Adam Lallana goal to take a point from Old Trafford in Salahs absence due to an ankle problem Origi played up front with Roberto Firmino and Senegal star Mane as a result Mo was not ready thats how it is Klopp told Sky Sports Of his chances of returning in Belgium Klopp simply said Maybe for Wednesday we have to seeCatch up on all the latest sports news and updates hereAlso download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updatesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever