Ex-Liverpool coach Pep Lijnders goes MISSING as Red Bull Salzburg embarrassed AGAIN

After a brilliant 3-1 win over Arne Slot’s former side Feyenoord in the Champions League this week, Pep Lijnders and Red Bull Salzburg had a pep in their step going into this weekend’s Austrian Bundesliga fixture against FC Blau-Weiß Linz.

Lijnders has come under significant criticism this season, with the former Liverpool assistant's side struggling to perform in their domestic league and only taking one win from four in the Champions League.

Having relinquished their Bundesliga title last season for the first time since 2013, Salzburg brought in Lijnders to get the best out of their young side and regain control of the domestic title race, while also trying to compete in Europe.

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Safe to say, things haven't been going well for him in Austria so far. Salzburg are currently ELEVEN points off the top of the league, with fan unrest leading to low attendances and squad harmony looking in tatters.

If there ever was a time for Lijnders to step up, it would have been this weekend against FC Blau-Weiß Linz - who are in their first-ever season in the top flight.

Instead, Salzburg lost AGAIN, with Lijnders nowhere to be seen on the touchline. It's a real mess.

Where was Pep Lijnders?

Jurgen Klopp's trusted assistant has found life on the touchline difficult, and had to turn to his own assistant - former Liverpool elite development coach Vitor Matos - to take charge against Linz.

Lijnders was missing because he was serving a suspension after being sent off during Salzburg's loss to Grazer AK last weekend.

The fact that they couldn't score and were held to a goalless draw against bottom of the league at home, a side who conceded six more goals than anyone else in the Austrian Bundesliga this season, is another embarrassing result for the former Liverpool boss.

Lijnders was sent-off in the 79th minute after receiving two successive yellow cards for criticising the referee's performance and was sent down the tunnel.

It meant his young side were without his guidance on the touchline this weekend, and it looks like they missed him.

What's gone wrong at Red Bull Salzburg?

They say that a good first impression goes a long way. Unfortunately for Lijnders, he's been fighting an uphill battle ever since he arrived in Austria.

While his connections to Liverpool will have been seen as a positive for the Red Bull owners, fans and players alike have questioned his loyalty to two players he signed from Anfield during the summer.

Bobby Clark and Stefan Bajcetic were both brought in to upgrade Salzburg's midfield as they attempt to fight on both domestic and European fronts this season, but both young players have struggled for form so far.

It was suggested earlier this season that the reason they've featured so heavily for Lijnders' side is due to their previous relationship at Liverpool, rather than their ability on the pitch.

Fans are also unhappy - attendances are down and a recent survey said the team's performances on the pitch is the main reason for people staying away.

Lijnders' style of play has come under criticism as well, with Salzburg struggling to break down defences. They boasted 77% possession during this weekend's game but failed to get a single shot on target.

The Champions League win midweek was a crack of light in a pretty dark season - one that was put out very quickly with this most recent result.

The only saving grace for Lijnders is that he now has a couple of weeks to get things right during the international break - that is if he is still in the job in two weeks time.

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