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Europa League Preview: Liverpool - Lille
Reds eye comeback as French foes come to visit...
| Bet: | Returns: | Liverpool £12.00 | Draw £55.00 | Brighton £120.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Liverpool £12.20 | Draw £50.00 | Brighton £100.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Liverpool £12.86 | Draw £50.00 | Brighton £120.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Liverpool £12.50 | Draw £55.00 | Brighton £120.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Liverpool £12.30 | Draw £54.00 | Brighton £97.00 |
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18 Mar 2010 05:14:00
By Mick Maguire
Kick-off: Thursday, March 18, 2010 - 21:05 CET
Anfield, Merseyside
The second leg of the Europa League's last 16 sees Liverpool needing to come from behind after their 1-0 loss at Lille in the reverse fixture.
Eden Hazard's late free-kick has left the Reds with it all to do on Thursday night, and failure to overturn the deficit would only heighten the tension currently gripping Anfield.
Rafael Benitez and his men found some solace on Monday as they dismantled troubled Portsmouth to the tune of 4-1 in what many have dubbed their finest display of the season.
The Kopites will be hoping for an encore performance against Les Dogues, whose away record in continental play of late will give their hosts plenty to be optimistic about.
The Ligue 1 outfit have not won any of their last three games on the road in the Europa League; their last victory coming at Slavia Prague early in the group stage.
But Lille coach Rudi Garcia is feeling confident, as he said recently: "We pushed them all the way in the first leg and we can do that again. It's our state of mind that's important, not theirs."
FORM GUIDE
Liverpool
Mar 15: Liverpool 4-1 Portsmouth (Premier League)
Mar 11: Lille 1-0 Liverpool (Europa League)
Mar 08: Wigan Athletic 1-0 Liverpool (Premier League)
Feb 28: Liverpool 2-1 Blackburn Rovers (Premier League)
Feb 25: Unirea Urziceni 1-3 Liverpool (Europa League)
Lille
Mar 14: Lille 1-0 Grenoble (Ligue 1)
Mar 11: Lille 1-0 Liverpool (Europa League)
Mar 06: St-Etienne 1-1 Lille (Ligue 1)
Feb 28: Lille 1-2 Auxerre (Ligue 1)
Feb 25: Fenerbahce 1-1 Lille (Europa League)
TEAM NEWS
Liverpool
Alberto Aquilani starred in the win over Pompey, but the Italian playmaker could miss this clash through a stomach virus.
Defenders Martin Skrtel and Fabio Aurelio remain sidelined, while Yossi Benayoun should be available after missing the first leg altogether.
Last starting XI (vs. Portsmouth): Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Maxi, Aquilani, Babel, Gerrard, Torres.
Lille
Strikers Gervinho and Tulio de Melo are out of action, along with key midfielder Mathieu Debuchy and defensive duo Nicolas Plestan and Ricardo Costa.
Last starting XI (vs. Grenoble): Landreau, Beria, Rami, Chedjou, Costa, Mavuba, Balmont, Dumont, Augameyang, Frau, Hazard.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Liverpool - Fernando Torres
The Spaniard looked back to something like his best (albeit against a very poor Portsmouth side) on Monday, bagging a well-taken brace. The Reds need goals here and this is the man who usually provides them.
Lille - Eden Hazard
The Belgian whiz-kid struck a hammer blow in the first leg with his late free-kick. Another moment of magic like that would put his side well and truly in the driver's seat.
PREDICTION
Liverpool 2-1 Lille
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