Which key men the Reds will be up against this evening
Liverpool face Besiktas tonight in the first leg of a last-32 Europa League tie at Anfield.
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Given the second leg is away in Turkey the team will want to be putting in a good performance to ensure they don’t have a lot to do on the road.
We look at four key battles that could determine the outcome of this one and our success in Europe this season.
Martin Skrtel vs Demba Ba
It will be up to Skrtel to try and withstand the battering ram that is Demba Ba.
Whilst we all might shudder when we see the Senegalese striker and remember that fateful day at Anfield last season we, and Skrtel, can’t let it get into our heads and preoccupy our overall game plan. This isn’t Liverpool v Ba.
Whilst the former Chelsea man might be in red-hot form in Turkey, scoring 18 goals this season, five of which have come in Europe, Skrtel has been a key cog at the back since we started playing three at the back. Recently, he kept Diego Costa relatively quiet for two legs in the Capital One Cup, for example.
Expect a tough battling affair with one or two scares but Skrtel should have more than enough to keep him in check.
Jordon Ibe vs Olcay Sahan
Ibe will no doubt be inspired with a contract extension close to completion, and will want to put in a display to remember as he takes another step towards his Liverpool dream.
He likely comes up against left sided midfielder and poor Andre Pirlo lookalike Olcay Sahan, who fans might recognise as one of the Besiktas mob walking around the city earlier today making a ruckus.
Sahan loves a tackle but given Ibe’s tricky feet you’d expect him to be able to get his way out of any trouble.
Ibe will have to be aware defensively as well and help Can at the back, with Sahan providing six goals and three assists so far in the Turkish League and two assists in Europe.
Philippe Coutinho vs Atiba Hutchinson
Hutchinson has a penchant for a card having already been sent off twice in the Turkish league this season – and has racked up seven yellow cards in total. Coutinho might have to be careful just to escape with his legs intact.
Hutchinson loves to play a short pass and spread the play but given Coutinho likes to stick to people like a wasp and buzz around until he nicks back the ball, he should be able to fashion a few chances deep in Turkish territory.
Daniel Sturridge vs Pedro Franco
Sturridge has spoken of his want to be in a major European final, and after missing out on the Champions League group stages you’d be expecting him to make up for lost time in the Europa league.
He might find success against Franco whose young age won’t have exposed him to the likes of our sensational striker just yet…
The 23 year old lacks a certain amount of discipline and occasionally steps out of defence exuberantly, and you’d expect Sturridge to be able wreak havoc in behind.