 Liverpool manager, Rafa Benitez, knows that this clash at Anfield is his Euro make-or-break game this season. A victory will put his side back into contention for group qualification, while defeat will end the Reds’ Champions League aspirations.
Xabi Alonso and Dan Agger are both still out for up to a month with metatarsal injuries and with Jermaine Pennant also injured, Fernando Torres will wait for a late fitness test to see whether he has recovered sufficiently to play a part in the game. The Spaniard may be replaced by Peter Crouch up front and Harry Kewell is also hoping for a place in the team after coming through two recent reserve games.
Besiktas will go into the game boosted by the victory against Liverpool in their last group clash, but know that this game will be a whole new experience for them.
They travel to England on the back of a 2-1 weekend defeat to local rivals Fenerbahce and are without the injured Gokhan Zan in defence and midfielder Rodrigo Tello. But despite the added absences of Marcio Nobre and Ibrahim Akin, coach Ertugrul Saglam is confident of victory and has promised an exciting mix of defence and attack as the Turkish side look to take a giant step towards qualification.
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