Liverpool vs. Besiktas: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info

Liverpool host Besiktas in the last 32 of the Europa League at Anfield on Thursday night with an 8:05 p.m. GMT kick-off.

Brendan Rodgers' side find themselves in the competition following their poor Champions League return that ended with just one win in six games, while Besiktas topped their respective Europa League group, finishing ahead of Tottenham.

The Turkish side will be looking to avenge their last appearance at Anfield when they lost to a record Champions League score, 8-0. That defeat back in 2007 is the only time Besiktas have played at Anfield previously. No Liverpool player who started that game will feature in this fixture, with only Steven Gerrard remaining at the club.

Liverpool meanwhile be looking for their vengeance, with former Chelsea striker Demba Ba returning to Anfield for the first time since that goal against the Reds last April that ultimately ended their title hopes. "It won't stimulate any bad memories for me," said Rodgers pre-match, per Carl Markham of The Independent.

"At the time (last April) he scored a goal, which was a good goal, but he has scored many good goals in his career. We just see him as a threat that we will pay respect to but nothing more than that."

Date: Thursday, 19 February

Time: 8:05 p.m. GMT / 3:05 p.m. ET

Venue: Anfield, Liverpool

TV Info:  ITV 1 / Fox Soccer Plus, Fox Sports 2 and Fox Soccer 2Go

Live Stream: ITV 1 (UK only)  Fox Soccer 2Go (U.S. only)

Predicted Formations

Liverpool are without Lazar Markovic due to suspension and midfielders Gerrard and Lucas due to injury. Jordon Ibe will replace Markovic on the right of midfield while Jordan Henderson and Joe Allen should continue in midfield.

B/R

For Besiktas, goalkeeper Zengin has been ruled out for a month after suffering an injury early on in their last game against Buraspor.

http://footballformation.co.uk/team/created.php?f=292253

Form Lines (all competitions)

Liverpool

Won 2-1 vs Crystal Palace (FA Cup)

Won 3-2 vs Tottenham

Drew 0-0 vs Everton

Won 2-1 vs Bolton (FA Cup)

Won 2-0 vs West Ham

Lost 1-0 (aet) vs Chelsea (League Cup)

Besiktas

Won 3-2 vs Buraspor

Lost 1-0 vs Kayserispor

Won 2-1 vs Rizespor

Drew 0-0 vs Rizespor

Won 2-1 vs Mersin İdmanyurdu

Player to watch

Liverpool: Jordon Ibe

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Teenage winger Jordon Ibe will return to the Liverpool lineup after missing the FA Cup win over Crystal Palace due to being cup-tied. He'll replace the suspended Markovic on the right for the Reds.

After impressive displays against Everton and Tottenham earlier this month, Ibe will be looking to build on those with his first European appearance. His power, strength and dribbling will cause problems for the visitors.

Besiktas: Jose Sosa

Burak Kara/Getty Images

Argentina midfielder Jose Sosa typically lines up behind Ba in attack for Besiktas, playing in the classic No. 10 role. The playmaker has five assists and three goals in his 14 Super Lig appearances this season. He also has European pedigree, appearing in the Champions League final last season as a substitute for Atletico Madrid. 

Key battles

Joe Allen vs. Sosa

It will likely be the task of Joe Allen to stop Sosa—unless Rodgers opts to bring Kolo Toure into the side and move Emre Can into midfield. Sosa is 6' and his physical presence will test Allen, who is often labelled as not being up to the physical challenge in midfield.

Liverpool attack vs. Besiktas defence

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Rodgers may opt to pair Daniel Sturridge and Mario Balotelli in attack from the start, which would be the first time since Balotelli's debut for the club back in August. If so, how they link up will be key and also provide space for Liverpool's attacking midfielders such as Ibe, Alberto Moreno and Adam Lallana to get forward.

Odds (via Oddschecker)

Liverpool win: 8/13

Draw: 16/5

Besiktas win: 6/1 

Jordon Ibe FGS:  10/1

Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Besiktas