Zenit v Liverpool

Right, so, our opportunity to bounce back from the rather catastrophic West Brom game comes already the day after tomorrow when the Europa League's last-32 round kicks off.

But it's a tough task ahead of us, because Zenit have got plenty of class. They're the holding champions of Russia's premier league and currently sit 3rd in their domestic league.

Personally I would give at least Suarez a rest. We need him in good form and shape for 12 more Premier League games and he's just played so much football this season that maybe it's starting to show.

We can't rest Suarez, though he needs one. Sturridge is ineligible so we have to do with Borini or Shelvey (Borini-Shelvey-Dowing or Rahim-Borini-Downing) which is not a tantalizing prospect.

League is over tbh. We can't get top 4, might as well focus on this trophy. Europe for next season is a must. We can get it by either winning EL this season or two top 5 teams make FA Cup final.

Throw in the strongest squad I say

I don't care if there's nothing left to play for in the league, it is more important to me than a last-32 match of the Europa League. I'd rest Suarez in Leningrad, start with Borini and see what result we bring to Anfield and start our best XI there.

The tie could potentially be out of reach by the time it gets to Anfield. And it's not like Anfield is such a fortress by any means. We'll need the whole 180+ minutes to beat Zenit.

Midtable Premier League games >>>> EL games, bar semi-finals and final

Well you must take it seriously to get to semifinals and finals. As much as I hope we go on a 12 game winning streak in the PL and get top 4, it's just not going to happen I'm afraid.

Win EL and I guarantee you better players would want to come here.

Zenit are the most over-rated side in europe. their players hate each other, they haven't played a competitive game since December. they were embarressed by Anderlecht ffs, and Milan when they were in massive crisis.

Their defense is has more holes than Lindsay Lohan's vagina, If we seriously can't get through it, I'll take it as worse than Villa defeat.

Borini NEEDS to do something now that Sturridge can't play. HE HAS TO DELIVER, that is his chance.

Sepi, I'm sure you can't wait to attack Borini's exposed jugular. But he still needs time. I wouldn't except Borini to contribute fully until around this time next season.

Messiah "Aggerswagger" wrote:League is over tbh. We can't get top 4, might as well focus on this trophy. Europe for next season is a must. We can get it by either winning EL this season or two top 5 teams make FA Cup final.

Throw in the strongest squad I say

Our chances of winning the EL is as good as finishing 5th (in EPL), both equally daunting.

We have to rotate. The likes of Allen 'n Borini are good enough to get a decent result. Just as Suarez, Lucas 'n Gerrard can do with a bit of rest, may be it's this challenge which can spark life into Allen, Borini.

Well I'm obviously hoping Borini gets the start on Thursday (you all know I love the kid as much as anyone) but Suarez for me is a must if we want our attack to function. I can't take another second of Rodgers playing Shelvey as SS.

Messiah "Aggerswagger" wrote:Sepi, I'm sure you can't wait to attack Borini's exposed jugular. But he still needs time. I wouldn't except Borini to contribute fully until around this time next season.

I like him, he is funny on twitter, but he needs to show more for 10M.

if he had been English and signed by Kenny, and had had half a season like that, he'd be the butthole of all footy jokes n memes. I am glad the spotlight is off him and he can settle, but he needs to slowly take his chance.

Sturridge injured, and BR plays Shelvey in his place and not Borini, maybe something in training ??

I am a bit cheesed that in follow up of Foster's save from gerrard shot, instead of just diving to tap the ball in, he wanted to make sure he kicks it with his RIGHT foot, n hence missed the target.

I was pissed at his miss vs West Brom but can you really blame a player whose confidence is on an all time low. While I agree that had been English the jury would be out for his head by now, I still think we should've expected this when Rodgers signed him. He had barely turned 21 when we signed him and had only played top flight football for 1 season. His play is very intelligent not to succeed anywhere. I'm really confident he'll prove the doubters wrong.

This is going to be a very tough game I think.

We should be going balls out to win the EL.

Full strength team will play I hope.

Zenit are without their best defender Alves and best midfielder Danny for this match.

Boss has named a very strong squad Exactly how I expected it.

Three games in seven days! The boys will have their hands full. But there's a nine days gap before the next batch, so the boys should buckle-up and get us through.

Tbh I'm not worried. I used to play 7 matches in 7 days a couple of years ago. These guys are pros, they should be able to handle it.

For some odd reason Coutinho has traveled with the squad to Russia. Obviously he's cup-tied and can't play. So I'm guessing he's just traveled to get acquainted with his new teammates in this long trip abroad.

Or BR is very clever, he'll make Cou wear Assaidi's name and number and play him instead of Oussama. Zenit are racist anyways, they won't spot the difference, our players all look the similar to them.

I am happy that we will have a strong line up. I mean come on, what we got till now with resting the players in group stage was enough. It is time to get serious about this competition and get somewhere, how much ever further we can go, probably only Gerrard and Carra can start on bench.

Starting Team: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Enrique, Sterling, Allen, Henderson, Gerrard, Downing, Suarez.

Subs: Jones, Coates, Lucas, Borini, Shelvey, Suso, Wisdom
so that's our line up, something terribly wrong with Assaidi, he is not even on the bench. Suso got nod ahead of him, Dont know if he is injured. Also, who knows what borini does in the training, BR doesnt select him to start. Coates n widom on bench and not agger. Shlevey our top goal scorer in europa lague also on bench, good!!!

Assaidi didn't even travel. Can't f*cking believe Borini isn't starting ffs.

Assaidi has probably done something to displease Rodgers, he was in Morocco's AFCON squad after all.

Sterling need to keep a cool head here.......

Hopefully Allen has a good game.

Watching a very weird telecast. The sounds are fine but there's no commentery. Fahim, Nishank are you guys having the same!!!