FK Rabotnicki V Liverpool – UEFA Europa League, Third Round Qualifying
Thursday, 29th July – 19:45 GMT
After a drastic campaign last term, resulting in the club having to settle for a seventh place finish in the Premier League as well as yet another season without any silverware, Liverpool fans merely have the UEFA Europa League to entertain themselves with this season as far as European competition goes, and they begin on Thursday night with a trek across Europe to Macedonia. FK Rabotnicki, who finished last season runners-up in the Macedonian first division, lye in waiting for the Reds as they look to bypass the first of two two-legged qualifiers before entering into the competition proper.
Roy Hodgeson has opted against sending some of his big guns to Macedonia, with those involved in the World Cup with England not included. Captain Steven Gerrard doesn’t go, as don’t Jamie Carragher, Glen Johnson and their exciting new signing Joe Cole. Fernando Torres is still away on vacation and won’t resume training with the Reds until Monday, while Javier Mascherano wasn’t included neither after he requested a move away from Anfield just days ago. What Hodgeson is left with is a team of misfits in all honesty, ranging from first team irregulars to academy and reserve players. The former Fulham manager did, however, manage to his the slim squad of players he had at Craven Cottage to good affect during this same competition last season, so we’re all hoping he performs similar miracles with Liverpool this evening despite the fact his players are overwhelming favourites to qualify and should technically run riot this evening in Macedonia.
Of those in Macedonia for this third round qualifying game, Alberto Aqulani, Lucas, David N’Gog, Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel all travelled, although Italian Aqulani probably won’t feature after recovering from a knee problem. It leaves Hodgeson with some tough decisions to make as to which of his young guns will have the chance to shine in Macedonia in what is Hodgeson’s first competitive game in charge of the Reds, meaning he will want to get off to the best possible start as manager of arguably the most sought after club in England. David N’Gog will lead the line, perhaps alongside either Eccleston or Lauri Dalle Valle, as Lucas looks to marshal the midfield with summer signing Jonjo Shelvey, who joined from Charlton Athletic. Milan Jovanovic claimed he was a ‘special player’ earlier in the week and he may have the chance to show just why he rates himself so highly if Hodgeson sticks him out on the left in a winger like position, with it being anyone’s guess as to whom will start on the opposite flank. The defence shouldn’t be a problem, and shouldn’t really concede a goal tonight with Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger forming a strong centre-half partnership, with Stephen Darby, Martin Kelly and Danile Ayala in contention for full-back starts. Diego Cavalieri will begin in goal.
It isn’t going to be the most potent Liverpool side you’ve seen in recent years, but they should still pick up the win in unfamiliar terrain. Jovanovic was very impressive for Serbia in the World Cup and often used his quick acceleration to sprint past his marker before whipping in a cross or cutting inside to have a pop on goal. He’ll be dangerous against mediocre opposition in his second game as a Liverpool player, but it’s David N’gog who should steal all the limelight providing his finishing is far sharper than it was last term. There are plenty at resever level who rate David N’Gog highly, reckon he’s a top-class player in the making, but his timid approach to first team games has meant his reputation hasn’t left the floor as of yet. He’s does appear as though he’s a momentum player, someone who needs confidence under his belt before he really gets into the correct gears, and he won’t have an easier opportunity to kick-start a season with a couple of goals than in the UEFA Europa League against south-eastern opposition.
Jovanovic is the class act on show for Liverpool tonight and will no doubt be the architect for most of their chances, but we’re backing the Frenchman to come good with a goal or two. N’Gog now has two seasons in the Premiership under his belt, playing 39 times for Liverpool last season, and with that he should be both mentally and physically tougher. He shouldn’t need an improvement in either in order to score tonight if truth be told, but if N’Gog is to earn cult status with the Kop this season, he’ll need a prolific start to the campaign. He’s just over EVENS to get on the scoresheet, while he’s a 4/1 favourite with SkyBet to open the scoring. We like the look of both, with a small saver on Jovanovic at (11/2 First Goalscorer – 11/8 Bet365).
Matt’s Tip: David N’Gog First Goalscorer – 4/1 SkyBet
Saver’s: Jovanovic Anytime Scorer – 2.38 Bet365, David N’Gog Anytime Scorer – 2.10 Bet365
