Liverpool face up to arch-rivals Manchester United in the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday evening at 8:05pm at Anfield, with the footballing World’s eyes watching.
Jurgen Klopp’s team must reproduce the magical performance they showed in defeating Manchester City 3-0 last week in the Premier League if they are to have any hope of beating Luis Van Gaal’s United side.
Liverpool will suffer with the loss of Lucas Leiva who always seems to produce his best form and then get injured for 5 to 6 weeks, he will be missed in a clash of this importance.
Jurgen Klopp will have his hands full trying to pick a winning team for this, the first leg of the first ever European fixture between Liverpool and Man Utd. Liverpool are slight favorites to win the first leg at Anfield with Sturridge, Origi, Firminho and Benteke all in contention to start upfront, but its probably in midfield where this battle will be won with Henderson, who seems to have lost a yard of pace and Can as the main protagonists in the engine-room.
Its a pick then from Sakho, Lovren or Toure as the centre backs who have all played very well lately.
Its all to play for on Thursday night v United, a home victory is a must for Liverpool if they are to progress into the Europa League quarter-finals as Man Utd are a tricky proposition at Old Trafford even without the likes of Wayne Rooney and Fellani.
It was great to see Luis Suarez back at Anfield on Tuesday, what a guy, we have sorely missed him since his move to Barcelona.
The Barcelona forward took advantage of some time off from his schedule to visit the club’s training complex and see some familiar faces from the past.
Suarez was accompanied by his two young children and took the opportunity to watch the Reds’ training session from the canteen balcony.
Before he left Melwood, he told Liverpoolfc.com:
“It was fantastic to see the lads. The people that work here are really nice and I miss them, so I wanted to come and see some friends. I have really good friends here.
“I had a really good moment here in three and a half years and when you have a really good moment in your life, it is something you remember.
“I always try to watch the [Liverpool] games and look out for the results. I am very interested in how Liverpool are doing because they are so important in my life.”
“What a guy, proud of him and what he did at Liverpool.”