vs
BORDEAUX FC
.
Thursday, 26 November 2015 20:05 hrs GMT
Anfield, Liverpool
*****
When the reverse fixture took place at the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, on 17th September, Brendan Rodgers was still in charge of the club, trying to steady things after two consecutive League losses, and both Danny Ings & Joe Gomez were both still fit and available. The game was an impressive outing for Adam Lallana, whose brilliant 65th minute goal was reminisce of his best days in a Southampton shirt, when he used to score rather more regularly. It was unfortunate that, 16 minutes later, Bordeaux equalised and Lallanaa s fantastic effort turned out to be for naught.
It was also a fixture where a number of youngsters, Jordan Rossiter, Pedro Chirivella and Cameron Brannagan (who has just signed a new contract with the club), got some playing time. However, it seems unlikely that theya ll get another chance in the first team, with Jurgen Klopp seeming to take the Europa League rather more seriously than Rodgers ever did. Bordeaux FC, who currently sit 13th in the French Ligue 1, should expect a tougher outing upon their visit to Anfield.
Team News & Tactics
Liverpool FC
Beyond long-term casualties Jordan Henderson, Ings and Gomez, the list of injured players includes Mamadou Sakho, Philippe Coutinho and possibly Martin Skrtel, who Klopp described as being a a little illa .
Jordon Ibe scored the decider, and his first goal for Liverpool FC, in the game against Rubin Kazan which ended 0-1. Ita s likely that he will get a starting spot again. James Milner and Adam Lallana should start alongside him in a 4-2-3-1, with Roberto Firmino on the bench (though he could end up swapping his place on the bench with either of those two).
Up front, Christian Benteke is likely to start, since he wouldna t want to risk Daniel Sturridge getting injured again after just having returned from another layoff. Lucas Leiva should start alongside Emre Can in central midfield, especially because the Brazilian is suspended for the weekend game against Swansea City. In defence, with Skrtel a sicka and Sakho still injured, a Kolo Tourea Dejan Lovren pairing seems inevitable.
Liverpool FCa s tactics under Jurgen Klopp are fairly straight forward: intense pressing without possession, and rapid transitions and counter attacks when they get the ball. Expect more frantic, high-energy football from the Reds.
Probable Line-up (4-2-3-1): Mignolet; Clyne, Toure, Lovren, Moreno; Lucas, Can; Ibe, Lallana, Milner; Benteke.
Bordeaux FC
Bordeaux FCa s manager Willy Sagnol will be without defenders Nicolas Pallois and Pablo, midfielder Gregory Sertic, and forward Thomas Toure. Wahbi Khazri, who is possibly the best midfielder in the side, is suspended.
Goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso was a commanding presence in the Bordeaux goal last time around, making keys saves throughout the game. It could easily have ended 3-1 in Liverpoola s favor. Hea s continued to be the teama s hero, saving a penalty in extra time to hold Stade Rennes to a 2-2 draw.
Last time around, the physically robust Diego Rolan’s presence made Liverpool’s life tough. For this fixture, especially keeping in mind the number of injury problems faced by Willy Sagnol, he could get a chance to start.
Sagnol’s Bordeaux FC will try to hit Liverpool on the counter, with Rolan and Crivelli being critical goal threats in such situations. They have two experienced heads in Chantome and Plasil at the heart of midfield, who will do their best to ensure there is no space between the lines for the likes of Lallana and Ibe.
Possible Starting Line-up (4-3-3): Carrasso; Guilbert, Sane, Yambere, Contento; Saivet, Chantome, Plasil; Rolan, Crivelli, Maurice-Belay.
Key Facts
- Liverpool’s record in 13 home games against French teams is 10 wins, 2 losses and a draw
- Bordeaux’s record against English clubs over 11 fixtures is only 1 win, 7 losses and 3 draws.
Final Prediction
Liverpool FC 3-0 Bordeaux FC
Jurgen Klopp’s team played some stellar football to dismantle Premier League title favorites Manchester City, with the resounding 4-1 scoreline being more than deserved. It is possible that the players would be somewhat less motivated for a Europa League group clash on a Thursday evening, but their opposition are in the midst of an injury crisis, and have been performing poorly through most of the season.
Blast from the past