Liverpool are well aware that anything less than three points against Besiktas at Anfield on Tuesday could bring to an end this season's UEFA Champions League quest.
The Reds, who lifted Europe's top club prize in 2005, have yet to record a win in this season's competition following a draw with Porto and shock defeats at home to Marseille and away to Besiktas.
Liverpool's hopes are, therefore, hanging by a thread and a win is essential in their fourth game in Group A if they are to stand any chance of adding to their record of two Champions League final appearances in the past three seasons.
However, Besiktas are in a confident frame of mind and are looking to repeat their success in Istanbul a fortnight ago when they defeated Liverpool 2-1.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has called for 'passion and cool heads' ahead of the meeting, but he is leaving it late before he makes an announcement on the fitness of Fernando Torres.
The Spanish striker missed Liverpool's goalless Premier League draw with Blackburn on Saturday after tearing an adductor muscle against Arsenal the previous week.
Torres, though, has been named in the Reds squad and it will be left until late before his match fitness is confirmed.
Benitez is definitely without midfielder Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger as the pair continue their comebacks from dreaded metatarsal injuries.
Besiktas have been rocked by the recent injury of defender Gokhan Zan, who has been ruled out for a month after damaging ligaments in his foot.
The Turkish side are also without Rodrigo Tello (ankle) and Marcio Nobre, who is struggling with a hamstring problem as they seek a major upset.
The Reds, who lifted Europe's top club prize in 2005, have yet to record a win in this season's competition following a draw with Porto and shock defeats at home to Marseille and away to Besiktas.
Liverpool's hopes are, therefore, hanging by a thread and a win is essential in their fourth game in Group A if they are to stand any chance of adding to their record of two Champions League final appearances in the past three seasons.
However, Besiktas are in a confident frame of mind and are looking to repeat their success in Istanbul a fortnight ago when they defeated Liverpool 2-1.
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has called for 'passion and cool heads' ahead of the meeting, but he is leaving it late before he makes an announcement on the fitness of Fernando Torres.
The Spanish striker missed Liverpool's goalless Premier League draw with Blackburn on Saturday after tearing an adductor muscle against Arsenal the previous week.
Torres, though, has been named in the Reds squad and it will be left until late before his match fitness is confirmed.
Benitez is definitely without midfielder Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger as the pair continue their comebacks from dreaded metatarsal injuries.
Besiktas have been rocked by the recent injury of defender Gokhan Zan, who has been ruled out for a month after damaging ligaments in his foot.
The Turkish side are also without Rodrigo Tello (ankle) and Marcio Nobre, who is struggling with a hamstring problem as they seek a major upset.
No comments:
Post a Comment