Two weekends ago, Liverpool thought they had reached the turning point of what has been a frustrating campaign on all fronts. A 2-0 win over Manchester United seemed to silence the doubters and catapult them back into Premier League contention.
Now, though, after Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Fulham (and the League Cup loss to Arsenal), it's back to panic stations for Rafael Benitez and his men as they look to resurrect their Champions League campaign.
The Reds' Spanish boss was heavily criticised for his early substitution of Fernando Torres at Craven Cottage, as he took the superstar striker off with the scores still level. Some feel Benitez was wrapping 'El Nino' in cotton wool for Wednesday's away game at Olympique Lyonnais, so the pressure is on to get a result at the Stade Gerland.
The Merseyside outfit sits third in Group E with just three points from three games, having followed up their 2-0 loss at Fiorentina with a shock home defeat to Lyon last time out - Cesar Delgado grabbing a late winner at the Kop end.
OL are cruising through the group stages with a maximum nine points under their belt. And although their domestic form has been mixed since plundering Anfield, they sit just two points shy of Ligue 1 leaders Girondins Bordeaux.
A win for Claude Puel's side this week would simultaneously guarantee them a spot in the knockout stage and dash Liverpool's faint hopes of topping the group. And if Fiorentina beat Debrecen as expected, the Scouse giants will be left facing demotion to the Europa League.
It's do-or-die for Rafa's Reds, but the statistics fall in their favour - they have won on each of their last four visits to France. However, they'll be missing their talismanic skipper this time around.
FORM GUIDE
Olympique Lyonnais
Oct 31 Saint-Etienne 0-1 Olympique Lyonnais
Oct 24 OCG Nice 4-1 Olympique Lyonnais
Oct 20 Liverpool 1-2 Olympique Lyonnais (Champions League)
Oct 17 Olympique Lyonnais 0-2 Sochaux
Oct 3 RC Lens 0-2 Olympique Lyonnais
Liverpool
Oct 31 Fulham 3-1 Liverpool
Oct 28 Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool (League Cup)
Oct 25 Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United
Oct 20 Liverpool 1-2 Olympique Lyonnais (Champions League)
Oct 17 Sunderland 1-0 Liverpool
TEAM NEWS
Olympique Lyonnais
Playmaker Kim Kallstrom and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris are available once more, having both shrugged off groin problems to feature against Saint-Etienne at the weekend.
Jean-Alain Boumsong (groin), Mathieu Bodmer and long-term absentee Anderson (knee, calf, shoulder) remain sidelined, meaning Jeremy Toulalan should continue to partner Cris in central defence - a role in which the midfield general has impressed immensely.
Michel Bastos sat on the bench at Anfield due to fitness concerns, but the Brazilian star - recently called up to Dunga's national team - could start this time around.
Last starting XI (vs. Saint-Etienne): Lloris, Clerc, Cris, Toulalan, Cissokho, Makoun, Ederson, Pjanic, Bastos, Govou, Lisandro.
Liverpool
The big blow for the Reds is the absence of Steven Gerrard, who is recovering slowly from a groin injury he exacerbated when these two teams last met. It is thought that both he and Fernando Torres will need surgery, although the latter is expected to start in France.
In more bad news for the travelling side, Alberto Aquilani is laid up with a virus having only just returned from the ankle injury that delayed his debut until last week's League Cup loss to Arsenal.
Glen Johnson is battling a calf problem, Martin Kelly - who impressed on his senior bow in the reverse fixture - is out with ankle trouble and Philipp Degen isn't part of the Champions League roster, leaving a hole at right-back that Jamie Carragher may be forced to fill.
Last starting XI (vs. Fulham): Reina, Degen, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Insua, Kuyt, Lucas, Mascherano, Benayoun, Voronin, Torres.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Olympique Lyonnais - Miralem Pjanic
Of all the creative talents at Lyon's disposal, this youngster is perhaps the most exciting. Many were left underwhelmed by the Bosnian's display in the reverse fixture, but on home soil he may feel more able to take charge of the game and show off his considerable gifts.
Liverpool - Fernando Torres
The Spaniard's goal against Fulham at the weekend - fashioned from what commentator John Motson termed 'a quarter-chance' - underlined just why, even when not fully fit, he is considered one of the world's deadliest strikers. He's yet to find the net in Europe this season, though, and will be eager to change that - especially with his prolific skipper sidelined.
Now, though, after Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Fulham (and the League Cup loss to Arsenal), it's back to panic stations for Rafael Benitez and his men as they look to resurrect their Champions League campaign.
The Reds' Spanish boss was heavily criticised for his early substitution of Fernando Torres at Craven Cottage, as he took the superstar striker off with the scores still level. Some feel Benitez was wrapping 'El Nino' in cotton wool for Wednesday's away game at Olympique Lyonnais, so the pressure is on to get a result at the Stade Gerland.
The Merseyside outfit sits third in Group E with just three points from three games, having followed up their 2-0 loss at Fiorentina with a shock home defeat to Lyon last time out - Cesar Delgado grabbing a late winner at the Kop end.
OL are cruising through the group stages with a maximum nine points under their belt. And although their domestic form has been mixed since plundering Anfield, they sit just two points shy of Ligue 1 leaders Girondins Bordeaux.
A win for Claude Puel's side this week would simultaneously guarantee them a spot in the knockout stage and dash Liverpool's faint hopes of topping the group. And if Fiorentina beat Debrecen as expected, the Scouse giants will be left facing demotion to the Europa League.
It's do-or-die for Rafa's Reds, but the statistics fall in their favour - they have won on each of their last four visits to France. However, they'll be missing their talismanic skipper this time around.
FORM GUIDE
Olympique Lyonnais
Oct 31 Saint-Etienne 0-1 Olympique Lyonnais
Oct 24 OCG Nice 4-1 Olympique Lyonnais
Oct 20 Liverpool 1-2 Olympique Lyonnais (Champions League)
Oct 17 Olympique Lyonnais 0-2 Sochaux
Oct 3 RC Lens 0-2 Olympique Lyonnais
Liverpool
Oct 31 Fulham 3-1 Liverpool
Oct 28 Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool (League Cup)
Oct 25 Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United
Oct 20 Liverpool 1-2 Olympique Lyonnais (Champions League)
Oct 17 Sunderland 1-0 Liverpool
TEAM NEWS
Olympique Lyonnais
Playmaker Kim Kallstrom and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris are available once more, having both shrugged off groin problems to feature against Saint-Etienne at the weekend.
Jean-Alain Boumsong (groin), Mathieu Bodmer and long-term absentee Anderson (knee, calf, shoulder) remain sidelined, meaning Jeremy Toulalan should continue to partner Cris in central defence - a role in which the midfield general has impressed immensely.
Michel Bastos sat on the bench at Anfield due to fitness concerns, but the Brazilian star - recently called up to Dunga's national team - could start this time around.
Last starting XI (vs. Saint-Etienne): Lloris, Clerc, Cris, Toulalan, Cissokho, Makoun, Ederson, Pjanic, Bastos, Govou, Lisandro.
Liverpool
The big blow for the Reds is the absence of Steven Gerrard, who is recovering slowly from a groin injury he exacerbated when these two teams last met. It is thought that both he and Fernando Torres will need surgery, although the latter is expected to start in France.
In more bad news for the travelling side, Alberto Aquilani is laid up with a virus having only just returned from the ankle injury that delayed his debut until last week's League Cup loss to Arsenal.
Glen Johnson is battling a calf problem, Martin Kelly - who impressed on his senior bow in the reverse fixture - is out with ankle trouble and Philipp Degen isn't part of the Champions League roster, leaving a hole at right-back that Jamie Carragher may be forced to fill.
Last starting XI (vs. Fulham): Reina, Degen, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Insua, Kuyt, Lucas, Mascherano, Benayoun, Voronin, Torres.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Olympique Lyonnais - Miralem Pjanic
Of all the creative talents at Lyon's disposal, this youngster is perhaps the most exciting. Many were left underwhelmed by the Bosnian's display in the reverse fixture, but on home soil he may feel more able to take charge of the game and show off his considerable gifts.
Liverpool - Fernando Torres
The Spaniard's goal against Fulham at the weekend - fashioned from what commentator John Motson termed 'a quarter-chance' - underlined just why, even when not fully fit, he is considered one of the world's deadliest strikers. He's yet to find the net in Europe this season, though, and will be eager to change that - especially with his prolific skipper sidelined.
1 comment:
ahead of Liverpool’s game against Lyon, Bafetimbi Gomis has been dubbed as the player to watch. He's been on form for Lyon this season and is their highest placed striker in the Castrol Rankings. Could he be the man to put the final nail in Rafa's coffin? http://www.castrolfootball.com/rankings/rankings/
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