Liverpool know that anything but a win against Ludogorets on Wednesday evening could see them eliminated
from this season’s Champions League.
If the Reds fail to pick up maximum points in Sofia and Basel win at home against Real Madrid, who are
already confirmed as group winners, then qualification will be out of reach for Brendan Rodgers’ side.
That would cap off a dire November for Liverpool in which they have lost all four games to date. That includes
their last European outing in Madrid when a much-changed side put in a respectable performance but still lost
1-0 to the defending champions.
That was the third Champions League match in a row in which Liverpool failed to score and they can ill afford
to fire another blank in Bulgaria.
Brendan Rodgers is adamant he will have his team ready for the
challenge, despite recent disappointments. "If we dwell too much on the
weekend there is no way we could go out and play," he said, referring to
the 3-1 Premier League loss at Crystal Palace.
"It is about getting confidence into players, talking with players, ensuring
the environment at the training ground is still a happy place to be. My
job as the leader of the team and the club is vital. We will always
experience disappointment but no matter how you feel you are one of the
pillars of the football club.
"The players are looking to you for that response and ability to motivate
and that is very important in my role."
Although Ludogorets are the minnows in Group B, they have impressed
at home so far, beating Basel 1-0 and taking an early lead against Real
Madrid before losing 2-1. They also came close to snatching a point at Anfield in September, only for an injury-
time Steven Gerrard penalty to rescue a 2-1 win for the Reds.
Anything other than victory for Ludogorets on Wednesday evening would see them eliminated from the group,
while Liverpool must match or better Basel’s result against Madrid to keep their hopes of qualification alive.
If Liverpool lose it would be their fifth defeat in a row in all competitions, their worst run since 1953.
Team news
With Daniel Sturridge out until the new year and Mario Balotelli not
travelling due to a groin injury, Rickie Lambert looks likely to again lead
the Liverpool line after netting his first goal for the club against Crystal
Palace on Sunday.
The former Southampton striker has played only nine minutes in the
Champions League as a substitute against Basel but could now be key
to Liverpool’s hopes of qualifying.
Jordan Henderson is expected to be fit after missing the Palace defeat
due to illness while Mamadou Sakho, Suso and Jose Enrique have
travelled to Bulgaria after returning to training following injuries. Jon
Flanagan is not available as he recovers from a knee problem.
Ludogorets will be without Ivan Cvorovic due to a shoulder injury but will be hoping Dani Abalo, who has
scored four goals in the last five league matches, can continue his fine goalscoring form.
The Bulgarian side come into the match on the back of a 1-1 draw at league leaders PFC CSKA Sofia on
Saturday.