Rubin Kazan v Liverpool: Reds can break their Europa duck
Liverpool failed to break down Rubin Kazan at Anfield, but Kevin Hatchard thinks they might have more joy in Russia.
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Rubin Kazan v Liverpool
Thursday November 5, 18:00
Live on BT Sport Europe
Although the mood at Liverpool has been very positive since the arrival of coach Jurgen Klopp, the team’s worst display under the German came against Rubin Kazan two weeks ago. Despite playing most of the match with a man advantage after Rubin skipper Oleg Kuzmin had been sent off, Liverpool failed to open up their dogged opponents. On that basis you might expect me to run a mile from backing the Reds to win at a price shorter than evens, but I think they can pick up their first victory of the competition, after drawing all three of their group games 1-1 so far.
Firstly, Rubin battened down the hatches after Kuzmin had been dismissed, and that kind of approach makes Klopp’s counter-pressing style difficult to implement. You can’t counter-attack effectively if your opponents are grimly defending in deep positions. At their sparkling new Kazan Arena, built for the 2018 World Cup, the hosts will be expected to be more offensive. Rubin need to take more risks, as they are bottom of Group B with just two points.
Secondly, Liverpool look set to field their strongest available line-up. Klopp’s predecessor Brendan Rodgers failed to select his strongest line-up against both Bordeaux and Sion, and those failures contributed to his downfall. Liverpool have taken their strongest possible squad to Tatarstan, with Philippe Coutinho, Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino all at Klopp’s disposal.
Liverpool are in buoyant mood after Saturday’s 3-1 win at Chelsea. Not only did the Reds win, but they fully deserved all three points for a fine second-half display. Klopp was right to scoff at post-match suggestions that his team could challenge for the Premier League title, but he will be pleased by how quickly his players are assimilating his ideas.
Rubin are only out of the Russian Premier League relegation zone on goal difference, and they’ve lost four of their six home games in the league. The influential Kuzmin is suspended, and forward Igor Portnyagin is injured. They are a tidy side with technically gifted players, but Liverpool are well capable of coming out on top if they field a strong side.
Recommended Bet
Back Liverpool to win at 1.96
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