FC Sion vs. Liverpool: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
While Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal went into their final group games in the Champions League in need of a result, Liverpool approach Thursday night's Europa League clash with FC Sion in much the same way as their Premier League rivals, Manchester City.
Secure a draw against the Swiss Super League side, and Jurgen Klopp's side will guarantee progress to the knockout stages of Europe's second-tier tournament as leaders of Group B.
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A point will do for Sion too, as they look to secure second place ahead of Rubin Kazan, but manager Didier Tholot will be hoping for his side to go one better.
A win for Sion would pile the misery on Klopp and his Liverpool squad with what would be their second defeat in five days—with the Reds looking to put Sunday's 2-0 loss away to Newcastle United behind them at the first time of asking.
At Anfield in October, Brendan Rodgers led his side out for the final time in Europe, with an early Adam Lallana strike cancelled out by Ebenezer Assifuah to seal a 1-1 draw. Three days later, Rodgers was sacked.
With Klopp's side in strong form bar their St. James' Park defeat, the German will be confident of victory, but can Tholot and his Swiss underdogs spoil the Reds' evening?
Date: Thursday, 10 December, 2015
Time: 6 p.m. GMT / 1 p.m. ET
Venue: Stade Tourbillon, Sion, Switzerland
TV Info: BT Sport Europe (UK) / Fox Sports 1 (U.S.)
Live Stream: BT Sport Player (UK) / Fox Sports GO (U.S.)
Form Lines
FC Sion: W-D-L-L-L
Liverpool: W-W-W-W-L
Team News
Tholot will be missing a host of first-team regulars for Thursday night's important clash, giving the former Bordeaux forward a quandary when it comes to his team selection.
Sion striker Moussa Konate will miss out having fractured his hand during November's 2-0 defeat away to Rubin, leaving the 22-year-old on the sidelines until 2016. Winger Martin Zeman is also absent having suffered a knee injury.
Defensive midfielder Veroljub Salatic and young forward Gregory Karlen are also out of contention, along with long-term absentee Ilombe Mboyo.
Furthermore, Tholot is unable to call upon Birama Ndoye after the midfielder was sent off in the defeat to Rubin.
Liverpool have left Lucas Leiva, Joe Allen, Alberto Moreno and Jordon Ibe on Merseyside with one eye on Sunday's Premier League clash with West Bromwich Albion. The former three are being rested, while Ibe has a virus.
Meanwhile key striker Daniel Sturridge took another disappointing injury blow in Sunday's loss to Newcastle, with BBC Sport suggesting that the 26-year-old "will be out for several weeks after suffering a hamstring injury."
"Klopp on Sturridge's hamstring injury: "it is not easy to say when he will be back."
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) December 9, 2015"
Sturridge joins Mamadou Sakho, Joe Gomez, Danny Ings and Jon Flanagan on the treatment table, while Joao Carlos Teixeira and Jose Enrique are both ineligible after being omitted from Rodgers' squad for the group stages.
Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho are both expected to return, while Klopp could ring the changes for what is a relatively comfortable matchup. Youngsters Connor Randall, Cameron Brannagan, Brad Smith, Jordan Rossiter and Ryan Fulton are all included in Liverpool's 19-man travelling squad.
Predicted Lineups
In Sion's last outing, a 1-0 loss away to FC Zurich, Tholot fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation, with goalkeeper Andris Vanins operating behind the regular back four of Vincent Rufli, Jagne Pa Modou, Leo Lacroix and Elsad Zverotic. This defensive line is likely to continue against Liverpool.
Ndoye's suspension could see captain Xavier Kouassi partnered by 23-year-old defensive midfielder Joachim Adao in the engine room, behind Carlitos, Geoffrey Bia and Edimilson Fernandes.
Assifuah could lead the line once again, looking to add to his tally against the Reds.
However, bright young forwards Chadrac Akolo and Daniel Follonier will be hoping to feature after coming on as substitutes in Saturday's defeat in Zurich.
For Liverpool, Klopp is likely to make a number of changes to the side that lost to Newcastle, with the absences of Moreno, Lucas, Allen and Ibe ensuring at least four alterations to that starting lineup.
Simon Mignolet will expect to continue his run in goal, while Nathaniel Clyne, Kolo Toure, Dejan Lovren and one of Smith or Randall could make up a rotated defensive line, with Martin Skrtel waiting in reserve.
In midfield, Henderson could be given his first start under Klopp, likely alongside Emre Can, who returns after sitting out of Sunday's loss with suspension, and Rossiter, who will also make his first starting appearance since the German replaced Rodgers at the beginning of October.
Coutinho's fitness will likely be tested at the last minute, with Klopp favouring a patient approach to the Brazilian's recovery, but if deemed fit, the 23-year-old could join Lallana and Divock Origi in attack.
Roberto Firmino and Christian Benteke offer Klopp a welcome variety if he decides to field a stronger side, however.
Likely FC Sion XI: Vanins; Zverotic, Lacroix, Jagne, Rufli; Kouassi, Adao; Fernandes, Bia, Carlitos; Assifuah.
Likely Liverpool XI: Mignolet; Clyne, Toure, Lovren, Randall; Henderson, Rossiter, Can; Lallana, Origi, Coutinho.
Players to Watch
Ebenezer Assifuah
The brilliantly named Assifuah will be Sion's main attacking outlet on Thursday night, and after scoring against the Reds at Anfield, he should head into this clash with confidence.
On Merseyside, the Ghanaian crept into position off the shoulder of a shaky Ibe to latch onto Kouassi's lofted through ball and slot home beyond Mignolet, capping a performance of dominant attacking threat.
With Liverpool likely to rotate their defensive line to include some peripheral figures on Thursday, Assifuah will look to exploit their lack of match fitness.
Divock Origi
With Sturridge likely to be out until the new year and Benteke producing a dismal performance at St. James' Park on Sunday, Klopp could well be considering his options when it comes to his first-choice striker for the festive period.
If Origi is given the chance to impress on Thursday night, the Belgian could further underline his credentials after a hat-trick against Southampton in the League Cup at the beginning of December.
Looking sharper by the game and showcasing his deadly finishing instinct against the Saints, Origi could prove the difference as Liverpool look for a win in Sion.
Key Battle
Philippe Coutinho vs. Xavier Kouassi
Sion captain Kouassi will provide Tholot's side with steel in the middle of the park, and if Klopp fields his star playmaker Coutinho, the one-time Ivory Coast international will need to be on his toes throughout.
Looking to make up for lost time, and potentially fielded behind a pacy, defence-stretching forward in Origi, Coutinho will be in his element at the Stade Tourbillon—expect incisive through balls and mazy dribbles cutting in from the left flank.
Coutinho could be the key to Liverpool's success against Sion, so Kouassi's performance at the base of midfield will be crucial.
Odds
FC Sion: 31/10
Liverpool: 13/10
Draw: 28/13
Odds via Oddschecker and correct at time of writing.
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