Fiorentina v Liverpool – Champions League Group E

Liverpool will look to build on their Match Day one home victory over FC Debrecen. Their less than impressive 1-0 victory, courtesy of a Dirk Kuyt goal, may not have been the prettiest, but they got the job done, and in the group stages, that is often important. None of the four English entrants put in a comprehensive performance in their opening matches, and Liverpool had some genuine scares against the Hungarians. Nevertheless, that is past them and the Reds are on a current 6 game winning streak in all competitions, after a slow start to the season.

Their comprehensive 6-1 thumping of Premier League team Hull on the weekend, will have bolstered their confidence. Their Italian opponents lost their opening game in the Champions League 1-0 to French outfit Lyon, and will look to their home record against English clubs in Europe to kick start their campaign. The Italians, despite only winning one home game in the Champions League since 2000, have not lost against an English side on home turf in UEFA competitions. To add to that stat, they haven’t even conceded a goal in the three matches.

Liverpool have encountered their fair share of Italian opponents in the Champions League, and their last four trips to the country, has seen then come away without having suffered a defeat. Only injury doubts are plaguing the Liverpool squad at the moment, with Javier Mascherano and Yossi Benayoun both missing from the midfield. Up front is where the battle could truly be won though, as Liverpool striker Fernando Torres is in hot form, bagging himself a hat trick on Saturday, while the Viola will be without their top scorer Alberto Gilardino. They will likely be relying on ex Chelsea forward,  Adrian Mutu to lead the attack against the Reds.

Liverpool have scored 18 goals in six matches now, and the mainstay of the team is still Torres and midfield general Steven Gerrard. Fiorentina will know that they have to find a way to shut those two out of the game, in order to compete. Liverpool look the more accomplished team at the moment and are in sparkling form. Fiorentina won their Serie A match on the weekend, a 1-0 win away at Livorno. They have only lost once this season in the league, and they currently sit in fourth place in the Italian league, just two points behind leaders Sampdoria, who they recently beat comfortably 2-0.

On the English domestic front, Liverpool moved themselves up to third spot, thanks to their six of the best display against lowly Hull. They seem to be gathering some pace after their two early league losses, and will head off to Italy without any reservation about the task in hand.

Liverpool to win: Evens at Totesport
Draw: 5/1 at Stan James
Fiorentina to win: 7/2 at BetFred

Correct Score Prediction 1-1: 6/1 at Boylesports

Betting Advice: Liverpool look irresistable going forward at the moment, but they are prone to defensive errors. Fiorentina are probably a better side than people give them credit for. They may be effected by the loss of Gilardino, but they could comfortably maintain their good record against English teams if they keep Torres quiet.