Trabzonspor v Liverpool
Football : Europa League, 1st round 2nd Leg
Thursday 26 August 2010 - Kickoff 6:30pm

This match is on TV

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Trabzonspor

The Turkish side played really well for 45 minutes at Anfield last week, but must feel grateful they are only 1 goal down as they come home. A missed penalty from Joe Cole in the 2nd half could have been a goal that opened up the floodgates but instead increased the defences' resolve and leave the tie evenly balanced.

Trabzonspor were in action on Monday night with a tough home game against Fenerbache as they continued with games in the Turkish Super League. They won that game 3-2 as they continued their 100% record in League games this season. Trabzonspor will want to play better than they did at this stage last season when they lost 1-3 to Toulouse here which effectively knocked them out before their trip to France which they also lost.

It is likely that the Turkish side will be playing a much stronger team than the expected line up for Liverpool. This match is of huge importance to Tabzonspor and they have made no secret of the fact that they would like a European run this season.

Liverpool

The rumours of mysterious bids and the refusal of key players to play means times remain tough at Liverpool. It has been suggested a new offer for ownership of the club is imminent while Javier Mascherano refused to play in the 3-0 loss to Manchester City as he hopes to push through a deal whereby he can leave for Barcelona. Roy Hodgson has a tough job on his hands at the moment and surely cannot wait for the transfer window to close until January.

A solid enough start for the Hodgson era was brought crashing to a halt as Manchester City dealt with them easily. They have 1 point after 2 games but will be hoping to rectify things over the coming weeks, while they have this tough Europa League hurdle to overcome. They did lose their last 3 away games in Europe when entering this competition last season and that kind of result could be disastrous for them here.

It seems Liverpool have got closer to signing Paul Konchesky from Fulham to solve their left back issues, but have had to travel to Turkey without Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard. Dan Agger is still suffering from effects of his concussion while Maxi Rodriguez is also ill. Dirk Kuyt and Javier Mascherano are both rumoured to be moving on while Albert Aquilani has signed on loan at Juventus.

Possible Liverpool Line Up: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Aurelio, Lucas, Poulson, Kuyt, Cole, Babel and N'Gog (4-2-3-1)

Prediction

Trabzonspor must have received an additional boost with the news that Gerrard and Torres have both failed to travel as Liverpool are more concerned with League matters than this competition at this time. They have made a strong start to their new season and will be hoping this is as memorable a night as when they beat Liverpool in the first leg of the European Cup in the 1970s.

Liverpool are without their 2 most influential players but will more than welcome the creative spark that Joe Cole can provide. This is going to be a tough test and the Reds may be regretting the penalty miss by Cole last week as they have been left with little room for manouevere. However, a goal would give them the edge here in a tough environment.

Roy Hodgson managed to pick up results with his Fulham side away from home in Europe last season, even on the occasions when he was rotating his squad. He has the tactical know how and will be more than aware that an away goal gives them a clear edge.

There will not be too many options for his side if they go a goal down and I expect Liverpool to keep it tight for as long as possible to silence the crowd, if that is even possible in Turkey. Trabzonspor looked like a handy side until they went a goal down last week, and if they can start like that, they could win this game.

I just have a feeling that Liverpool will be set out to keep things tight and nick a goal on the break. Hodgson managed to get some useful results with his Fulham side in away games in Europe and I think Liverpool will come home with their place booked in the Group Stage draw on Friday.

The Pick :

Trabzonspor 1-1 Liverpool

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I have a feeling we may see a DRAW here, even without the 2 main players for Liverpool