Germany vs. Liechtenstein: FIFA World Cup qualifying probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

Latest

Kimmich has played in every one of Flick's matches in charge of the national team and there is little to suggest that will change this week, although with qualification now wrapped up, Thursday's game against a nation ranked 190th in the world could be an opportunity for the Germany coach to check out some alternatives. Lukas Nmecha is one of those, having been called up for the first time off the back of his impressive performances for Wolfsburg - something he continued with his fourth goal of the season to see off Augsburg at the weekend. The U21 European champion and tournament top-scorer is in line for his senior bow on home soil, with the Volkswagen-Arena hosting Die Mannschaft this time. He can count on the support of Bayern trio Serge Gnabry, Thomas Müller and Leroy Sane, who themselves have club mates Leon Goretzka and Kimmich keeping their backs. At the back, Flick may have to give a little more thought to his team selection with Freiburg's Nico Schlotterbeck another who may make his debut during this international break, although Flick could name a stronger team for this home fixture before releasing those whose clubs are involved in Europe and allowing them a rest, rather than taking all 27 players in his squad on the trip to Armenia,.

Liechtenstein fought bravely for 40 minutes of the reverse fixture in September, before Timo Werner gave Germany the lead. Martin Stocklasa's men still held it together well with only a 77th-minute Sane strike settling Germany's nerves and sealing victory. His side have since lost by greater margins to North Macedonia and Iceland, but they secured their first point in qualifying when Noah Frick earned them a 1-1 draw in Armenia. Frick - the youngest son of Liechtenstein's most capped player Mario Frick - will be one of the first names on Stocklasa's team sheet once again while Martin Büchel and Daniel Kaufmann will feature for the penultimate time with both announcing last week that they will retire from international football after the current round of matches. The 34- and 30-year-old respectively will make way with Stocklasa keen on giving a younger generation of players an opportunity, particularly against such illustrious opposition, although that will not be the case for Uerdingen goalkeeper and captain Justin Ospelt (22), who is still sidelined after having an operation on his knee.

Match stats

Flick has equalled predecessor Joachim Löw's national record of winning his first five games as Germany coach. His side have scored 18 and conceded just one since his debut in charge in the 2-0 victory over Liechtenstein.

Kimmich has captained his country in two of the five games under Flick when Manuel Neuer has been absent.

Gnabry is enjoying working with his former manager at Bayern in the national team setup, having scored four goals in five matches under Flick.

Müller has registered 40 goals and 39 assists in 108 Germany appearances.

Germany have won seven of their eight matches in Group J. Only North Macedonia (2-1) have managed to get a result against the four-time world champions.

Germany and Liechtenstein have met three times previously in World Cup qualifying, with Die Mannschaft winning all three with 12 unanswered goals.

Probable line-ups

Germany: Neuer (c) - Hofmann, Süle, Rüdiger, Raum - Goretzka, Kimmich - Gnabry, Müller, Sane - Nmecha

Out: Havertz (suspended), Wirtz (hip)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Hansi Flick

Liechtenstein: Büchel - Wolfinger, Malin, Kaufmann, Hofer, Göppel - Sele, Frommelt, Hasler (c) - N. Frick, Y. Frick

Out: M. Marxer (suspended), Ospelt (knee)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Martin Stocklasa