Besiktas vs. Liverpool: Team News, Predicted Line-Ups, Live Stream & TV Info
Liverpool return to the scene of one of the greatest-ever nights in their illustrious history as they take on Besiktas in the Europa League round of 32, second leg, at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium on Thursday night.
Brendan Rodgers' side carry a 1-0 lead from the first leg at Anfield last week, courtesy of Mario Balotelli's late penalty after Jordon Ibe was brought down.
The Liverpool boss will be hoping for a comfortable progression into the final 16 and no more further injuries ahead of the visit of Manchester City to Anfield on Sunday lunchtime.
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Rodgers has opted to, wisely, rest Philippe Coutinho for this match after the Brazilian playmaker had started 19 games in a row since mid-December. Rodgers is also without several first-team players through injury.
Date: Thursday, 26 February
Time: 6:00 p.m. GMT / 1.00 p.m. ET
Venue: Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul
TV Info: ITV 4 / Fox Sports 1
Live Stream: ITV 4 (UK only) Fox Sports 1 (U.S. only)
Predicted Formations
Liverpool are without eight first-team players for the match; Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Lucas Leiva, Glen Johnson, Mamadou Sakho and Brad Jones are out injured, while Lazar Markovic is suspended and, as mentioned, Coutinho hasn't traveled to Turkey.
Therefore, the Liverpool side almost picks itself if Rodgers is to play his strongest possible XI.
"Rodgers: 'We have some knocks but we have still got a squad strong enough that will hopefully get the job complete'
— Dominic King (@DominicKing_DM) February 25, 2015"
The major change will see Emre Can moved into midfield to partner Joe Allen in Henderson, Lucas and Gerrard's absence. Meaning a return to the side for Kolo Toure for the first time since African Cup of Nations duty.
Besiktas have several problems of their own, although star striker Demba Ba and midfielder Gokhan Tore have been passed fit according to The Liverpool Echo. Ba missed their defeat to Eskisehirspor at the weekend with a calf injury.
Bilic's side are also without first-choice goalkeeper Tolga Zengin due to injury while left-back Ramon Motta and centre-back Ersan Gulum are suspended for the tie.
Form Lines (all competitions)
Liverpool
Won 2-0 vs Southampton
Won 1-0 vs Besiktas (Europa League)
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)
Besiktas
Lost 1-0 vs Eskisehirspor
Lost 1-0 vs Liverpool
Won 3-2 vs Bursaspor
Lost 1-0 vs Kayserispor
Won 2-1 vs Rizespor
Player to watch
Besiktas: Demba Ba
With Ba seemingly passed fit, it will be he who will be key to the home side overcoming the one-goal deficit from the first leg. The former Chelsea striker will be eager to make amends for missing a good chance in the match at Anfield last week.
Liverpool: Emre Can
Liverpool fans have been eager to see Can starting in midfield for a while but Rodgers has resisted temptation in order to keep the improved defence in tact. However, owing to the injury to Henderson, Rodgers will be forced to field the impressive German in what is his more natural role in centre-midfield. It will be interesting to see how he does.
Key battle
Daniel Sturridge vs. Besiktas defence
An away goal, especially an early one, would set Liverpool up nicely and allow their somewhat makeshift side to progress comfortably into the last 16 and also keep players fresh for the visit of Man City on Sunday.
Daniel Sturridge has looked somewhat rusty since his return from almost six months on the sidelines and after playing as a substitute against Southampton he will be fresher and perhaps more likely to find his goalscoring form. If Besiktas are to have a chance, they'll need to keep the England man quiet.
Odds (via Oddschecker)
Liverpool win: 8/5
Draw: 12/5
Besiktas win: 39/19
Jordon Ibe FGS: 12/1
Prediction: Besiktas 0-2 Liverpool
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