Champions League Preview: Liverpool - Olympique Lyonnais

Reds hoping to stop the rot as OL come to town...

Oct 20, 2009 9:45:50 AM

More On :  Liverpool, Olympique Lyonnais, Liverpool vs Olympique Lyonnais
CL: Miralem Pjanic - Lyon (Getty Images)

Kick-off: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 - 20:45 CET
Anfield, Merseyside

Liverpool came back from the international break hoping to rediscover their best form, but it was not to be the case. A beach ball may have scored Sunderland's winner, but in truth the visitors were well beaten at the Stadium of Light without Steven Gerrard or Fernando Torres to save them.
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That defeat was the Reds' third in a row, and their fourth in a Premier League campaign that is just nine rounds old. They sit eighth in the standings, and the nature of their recent failures has led many to declare that all hope for silverware this season is lost.

Rafael Benitez thinks otherwise, but with a crunch clash against Manchester United looming at the weekend, he faces something of a dilemma as to how strong a team to put out when Olympique Lyonnais visit Anfield in Tuesday night Champions League action.

The French giants are in decidedly better touch on the domestic front, as they currently sit atop the Ligue 1 standings. However, they too fell at the weekend, an injury-riddled lineup losing 2-0 to Sochaux - their first setback of the season.

OL head to Merseyside as leaders of Group E, with two wins and no goals conceded, while Liverpool sit third having suffered a 2-0 reverse at Fiorentina on their last European outing.

FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

Oct 17  Sunderland 1-0 Liverpool
Oct 4  Chelsea 2-0 Liverpool
Sep 29  Fiorentina 2-0 Liverpool  (Champions League)
Sep 26  Liverpool 6-1 Hull City
Sep 22  Leeds United 0-1 Liverpool  (League Cup)

Olympique Lyonnais

Oct 17  Lyon 0-2 Sochaux
Oct 3  Lens 0-2 Lyon
Sep 29  Debrecen 0-4 Lyon  (Champions League)
Sep 26  Lyon 2-1 Toulouse
Sep 20  Paris Saint-Germain 1-1 Lyon

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Star striker Torres remains sidelined with groin trouble, but the Reds have been boosted by the return of captain Gerrard (also an adductor vicitim) to the squad.

Greek defender Sotiris Kyrgiakos is out of action with a knee injury sustained during the international break, and Albert Riera will also miss after straining his hamstring on the practice pitch.

Italian pair Andrea Dossena (groin) and Alberto Aquilani (ankle) are still unavailable, although the latter has commenced training and is set to make his debut in the coming weeks.

Last starting XI (vs. Sunderland): Reina, Skrtel, Carragher, Agger, Johnson, Lucas, Spearing, Aurelio, Benayoun, Kuyt, Babel.

Olympique Lyonnais

Coach Claude Puel has big problems in defence, as Jean-Alain Boumsong (groin) and Anderson (shoulder, calf, knee) are both out - thus leaving the barely-fit Cris as the only available centre-half.

With the versatile Mathieu Bodmer also missing through injury, France midfielder Jeremy Toulalan is expected deputise at the back once again.

Further forward, Brazilian playmaker Michel Bastos is in doubt with an ankle complaint, while Argentina's Cesar Delgado is nursing a thigh problem.

Last starting XI (vs. Sochaux): Lloris, Reveillere, Cris, Toulalan, Cissokho, Delgado, Makoun, Gonalons, Bastos, Gomis, Lisandro.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool - Jamie Carragher

The veteran defender has been struggling for form of late, leading to suggestions that his star might finally be on the wane. Will have to be at the very top of his game to keep out Lyon's dangerous attack.

Olympique Lyonnais - Miralem Pjanic

The young Bosnian playmaker has been arguably the revelation of the group stages to date, scoring against Fiorentina and putting in a man-of-the-match display at Debrecen. Even should he only appear off the bench, this is one to keep an eye on.

PREDICTION

Liverpool 1-1 Olympique Lyonnais

Mick Maguire, Goal.com UK
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