Brendan Rodgers takes his Liverpool side to group minnows Ludogorets in Bulgaria on Wednesday night needing a victory to boost their flagging fortunes.
Liverpool’s second place finish in last season’s Premier League is already a distant memory as they languish in mid-table with only four wins in twelve matches. It was at Selhurst Park last season that their title dreams finally evaporated when they allowed a 3-0 lead to slip away.
Events in Brazil led to the departure of Luis Suarez and Liverpool have invested over £100 million in new players in an attempt to build on last season’s achievements. It has not succeeded and they returned to Selhurst Park on Sunday only to be soundly beaten by three goals to one. Rodgers is not one to shy away from criticism and he knows that their performances have not been good enough.
When Liverpool faced Ludogorets at home in their first group match, the fans were expected an emphatic victory. Only a Steven Gerrard penalty in injury-time spared their blushes that night and they can expect an equally tough battle on Wednesday.
The defeat at Palace was their fourth in a row including a controversial 1-0 defeat at Real Madrid when Rodgers fielded an under-strength side. He was spared further criticism by his players who fought bravely in a 1-0 defeat but there will be no hiding place if they cannot win against Ludogorets.
The home team may be bottom of Group B but is only goal difference which separates them from Liverpool. They held the Reds for 82 minutes at Anfield and go into this game in confident mood. Their domestic form is excellent with Real Madrid the only team to win at their ground in thirteen matches. They were far from embarrassed in that game either, taking the lead before losing 2-1.
They claimed all three points against Basel in October with an injury-time winner and are good enough to exploit any weaknesses in the Liverpool set-up. Qualification is still possible for both sides so there should be no half-measures in this one. Ludogorets would be delighted with a draw which would edge them closer to a Europa League spot. Liverpool desperately need to end their woeful run of form. This could be another long night for Liverpool fans and the draw may be the best value at around 5-2.
Ludogorets v Liverpool DRAW @45-17 888Sport, Unibet
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