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

The pressure is most definitely on Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers after two consecutive Premier League defeats—conceding six goals in the process.

Despite the clear need for a result in Thursday's Europa League opener away to Ligue 1 side Bordeaux, Rodgers has rested six of his first-team players,  keeping to his pre-season word of potentially playing a "separate team" in Europe this season.

“We could have a separate team for the Europa League and it won’t be detrimental," said Rodgers, per This Is Anfield. "It’s certainly something we’d consider."

Rodgers' side performed miserably in Europe last season, exiting both the Champions League and Europa League at the first hurdle—winning just two of the eight games played, at home to minnows Ludogorets Razgrad, and Besiktas.

Dmitry Lovetsky/Associated Press

Indeed, of the 16 European games (excluding qualifiers) that Rodgers has overseen in his time in charge at Liverpool, the Reds have won just six. Those six wins were against Young Boys, Anzhi Makhachkala, Udinese, Zenit St. Petersberg, Ludogorets, and Besiktas. Rodgers' side were knocked out by Zenit and Besiktas over two legs.

With a place in the Champions League up for grabs for the winner of this competition, coupled with Liverpool's less-than-inspiring start to the campaign, many supporters believe the Europa League should be taken seriously this season.

By resting six players for this opening game, Rodgers is clearly prioritising Sunday's league clash with Norwich City at Anfield.

Date: Thursday, 17 September 2015

Time: 6pm BST / 1pm EST

Venue: Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux

TV Info: BT Sport Europe / FOX Sports 1 and FOX Soccer 2Go

Live Stream: BT Sport /  FOX Soccer 2Go

Form Lines  

Bordeaux:

Drew 2-2 vs. Paris Saint-Germain
Won 2-0 vs. Nantes
Lost 2-1 vs. Kairat Almaty (EL qualifier)
Drew 0-0 vs. Lille
Won 1-0 vs. Kairat Almaty (EL qualifier)

Liverpool:

Lost 3-1 vs. Manchester United
Lost 3-0 vs. West Ham United
Drew 0-0 vs. Arsenal
Won 1-0 vs. Bournemouth
Won 1-0 vs. Stoke City

Predicted Formations 

According to French football pundit and B/R writer, Andrew Gibney, Bordeaux will lineup somewhat like below.

Bordeaux: Carrasso; Gajic, Guilbert, Pallois, Poundje; Poko, Traore, Maurice-Belay, Saivet; Khazri, Crivelli

For Liverpool, Rodgers has left behind Christian Benteke, James Milner, Dejan Lovren, Martin Skrtel, Nathaniel Clyne and Lucas Leiva.

Philippe Coutinho returns from suspension, while Divock Origi is expected to make his full debut for the club, per the Guardian.

Mamadou Sakho and Kolo Toure will start in defence—neither of whom have played yet this season—with Alberto Moreno coming in at left-back and Joe Gomez expected to switch across to right-back.

In midfield, Emre Can and Coutinho should be joined by youngster Jordan Rossiter—making his second start for the club.

Up front, Origi will be joined by Jordon Ibe and either Danny Ings or Adam Lallana—the latter who is back from injury but could settle for a place among the subs.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Gomez, Toure, Sakho, Moreno, Can, Rossiter, Coutinho, Ibe, Ings, Origi.

Players to Watch

Bordeaux: Whabi Khazri

AFP/Getty Images

Gibney highlights Bordeaux playmaker Khazri as a stand-out player for the French side, who he says was the catalyst for Girondins' creditable 2-2 draw with PSG at the weekend.

"His endeavour and determination to push forward helped pile the pressure on the PSG defence," explained Gibney for B/R. "Khazri’s set pieces were a constant menace throughout the game—helping Bordeaux draw level after 31 minutes."

Liverpool will need to be aware of the French-born Tunisian who is comfortable anywhere behind the forward.

Liverpool: Divock Origi

DENIS CHARLET/Getty Images

Origi made his debut for Liverpool in the 3-1 defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday, replacing Danny Ings for the final 17 minutes. Like Ings, Origi—a centre-forward—was tasked with a wide-left midfield role. It was hardly a pleasant introduction for the young Belgian.

The 20-year-old is set to make his full debut on Thursday night, per the Liverpool Echo, and at least it will be in somewhat familiar surroundings after playing five times against Bordeaux in the last three seasons with Lille.

Origi could be tasked with a left-forward role, should Ings get the nod in the centre, or he may lead the line himself if Ings is dropped and Adam Lallana starts on the left. 

Key Battle: Midfield

Most football matches are won and lost in the respective penalty areas—whoever takes their chances usually wins. But it's in midfield here where it will be a key battle, stopping the supply to the forwards.

Liverpool must keep playmaker Khazri quiet, while Bordeaux must do the same with Coutinho. The Brazilian will be eager to atone for his dismissal in his last outing against West Ham before the international break.

With Sakho and Toure having not played a minute between them yet this season, Bordeaux will be looking to exploit their rustiness.

Bordeaux have already played two European games this season, defeating Kazak side Kairat Almaty over two legs, whereas Liverpool will have a very inexperienced team lining up.

Odds (via OddsChecker)

Bordeaux to win: 2/1

Liverpool to win: 13/8

Draw: 12/5

Prediction: Bordeaux 1-1 Liverpool