It looks like a big clash at first glance, but neither Liverpool nor Fiorentina will have much to fight for when they cross swords in the final fixture of Champions League Group E.
For the Reds, it is the deadest of dead rubbers. The last round's results dashed their hopes of advancing to the knock-out phase - despite a 1-0 win at Debrecen - and thus Wednesday's game will serve as little more than a dress rehearsal for the Europa League.
However, following their goalless draw at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, even a meaningless three points would give Rafael Benitez's men a much-needed confidence boost.
La Viola fared decidedly better over the weekend, their 2-0 victory against Atalanta launching them into fifth place in what is a congested-looking Serie A table.
The Tuscan side are already through to the last 16 in Europe's elite club competition, and any sort of result at Liverpool will see them finish top of the group.
So with a seeding in the knock-out draw on offer, it is Fiorentina who edge it in the motivation stakes as they head to Anfield hoping to pile more misery on the Mersey men.
FORM GUIDE
Liverpool
Dec 5 Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Liverpool
Nov 29 Everton 0-2 Liverpool
Nov 24 Debrecen 0-1 Liverpool (Champions League)
Nov 21 Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City
Nov 9 Liverpool 2-2 Birmingham City
Fiorentina
Dec 6 Fiorentina 2-0 Atalanta
Nov 29 Inter 1-0 Fiorentina
Nov 24 Fiorentina 1-0 Olympique Lyonnais (Champions League)
Nov 21 Fiorentina 2-3 Parma
Nov 8 Udinese 0-1 Fiorentina
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool
With his side's fate already sealed, boss Benitez will no doubt ring in the changes and take the opportunity the rest some of his regulars.
Fernando Torres was tipped to make his return against Blackburn at the weekend but was left out of the matchday squad altogether. He could, however, feature in some capacity against Cesare Prandelli's invaders.
Alberto Aquilani didn't get so much as a minute on Saturday, and the Kop faithful (not to mention the midfielder's father) will surely kick up a fuss if he doesn't get on the park here.
Last starting XI (vs. Blackburn Rovers): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Benayoun, Gerrard, Riera, Kuyt.
Fiorentina
Wonderkid Stevan Jovetic returned to the first XI at the weekend, while Marco Marchionni - another who tormented the Reds in Tuscany - is pushing for fitness after picking up a muscle strain in the 1-0 defeat to Inter on November 29.
Former Chelsea forward Adrian Mutu is still recovering from minor knee surgery.
Last starting XI (vs. Atalanta): Frey, De Silvestri, Dainelli, Kroldrup, Pasqual, Santana, Donadel, Montolivo, Vargas, Jovetic, Gilardino.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Liverpool - Lucas Leiva
The Brazilian continues to divide opinion on Merseyside, in spite (or perhaps because) of the fact he's been an ever-present in the starting XI this season. With the result irrelevant, this is the sort of game in which he must shrug off the shackles and show that he has the quality to match his enthusiasm.
Fiorentina - Juan Manuel Vargas
Jovetic would be the obvious choice, but this man has been in red-hot form. It was the Peruvian wide-man's goal against Lyon that knocked the Reds down to the Europa League, and, having scored again on Sunday, he will no doubt fancy himself to snag another at Anfield - if he's not rested, of course.
For the Reds, it is the deadest of dead rubbers. The last round's results dashed their hopes of advancing to the knock-out phase - despite a 1-0 win at Debrecen - and thus Wednesday's game will serve as little more than a dress rehearsal for the Europa League.
However, following their goalless draw at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, even a meaningless three points would give Rafael Benitez's men a much-needed confidence boost.
La Viola fared decidedly better over the weekend, their 2-0 victory against Atalanta launching them into fifth place in what is a congested-looking Serie A table.
The Tuscan side are already through to the last 16 in Europe's elite club competition, and any sort of result at Liverpool will see them finish top of the group.
So with a seeding in the knock-out draw on offer, it is Fiorentina who edge it in the motivation stakes as they head to Anfield hoping to pile more misery on the Mersey men.
FORM GUIDE
Liverpool
Dec 5 Blackburn Rovers 0-0 Liverpool
Nov 29 Everton 0-2 Liverpool
Nov 24 Debrecen 0-1 Liverpool (Champions League)
Nov 21 Liverpool 2-2 Manchester City
Nov 9 Liverpool 2-2 Birmingham City
Fiorentina
Dec 6 Fiorentina 2-0 Atalanta
Nov 29 Inter 1-0 Fiorentina
Nov 24 Fiorentina 1-0 Olympique Lyonnais (Champions League)
Nov 21 Fiorentina 2-3 Parma
Nov 8 Udinese 0-1 Fiorentina
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool
With his side's fate already sealed, boss Benitez will no doubt ring in the changes and take the opportunity the rest some of his regulars.
Fernando Torres was tipped to make his return against Blackburn at the weekend but was left out of the matchday squad altogether. He could, however, feature in some capacity against Cesare Prandelli's invaders.
Alberto Aquilani didn't get so much as a minute on Saturday, and the Kop faithful (not to mention the midfielder's father) will surely kick up a fuss if he doesn't get on the park here.
Last starting XI (vs. Blackburn Rovers): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas, Benayoun, Gerrard, Riera, Kuyt.
Fiorentina
Wonderkid Stevan Jovetic returned to the first XI at the weekend, while Marco Marchionni - another who tormented the Reds in Tuscany - is pushing for fitness after picking up a muscle strain in the 1-0 defeat to Inter on November 29.
Former Chelsea forward Adrian Mutu is still recovering from minor knee surgery.
Last starting XI (vs. Atalanta): Frey, De Silvestri, Dainelli, Kroldrup, Pasqual, Santana, Donadel, Montolivo, Vargas, Jovetic, Gilardino.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Liverpool - Lucas Leiva
The Brazilian continues to divide opinion on Merseyside, in spite (or perhaps because) of the fact he's been an ever-present in the starting XI this season. With the result irrelevant, this is the sort of game in which he must shrug off the shackles and show that he has the quality to match his enthusiasm.
Fiorentina - Juan Manuel Vargas
Jovetic would be the obvious choice, but this man has been in red-hot form. It was the Peruvian wide-man's goal against Lyon that knocked the Reds down to the Europa League, and, having scored again on Sunday, he will no doubt fancy himself to snag another at Anfield - if he's not rested, of course.
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