Liverpool v Anzhi Betting Odds, Preview and Predictions

Hiddink-inspired Anzhi threaten's Liverpool's Euro hopes

Guus Hiddink
Guus Hiddink © GEPA pictures

Liverpool V Anzhi Makhachkala Europa League
A big night from Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool as they could be facing a crucial turning point in their Europa League campaign. A defeat on Thursday night and a win for Udinese over bottom side Young Boys could leave the Reds in a heap of trouble in group A. With one win and one defeat in the group so far, Liverpool have to knuckle down and tighten up at the back. However, they are facing one of the most rapidly rising powerhouses in European football.

Liverpool v Anzhi Makhachkala Europa League Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet365:
Liverpool 6/5, Anzhi 11/5, Draw 12/5

Verdict:
Anyone heading to Anfield thinking that this is going to be an easy three points will need to rethink their ideas. It is not going to be. Liverpool have had a strange Europa League so far, scoring freely while they can barely muster a shot in anger in the Premier League. However, Liverpool have also conceded five goals in two games, and they were undone by Udinese in their Match Day Two encounter at Anfield. In that game, Udinese simply out-worked Liverpool and played with a lot more commitment and desire. That was the crux of it really. Now Liverpool face the risk of losing back to back home matches in Europe for the first time in their history. Anzhi have very deep pockets and are a growing force. While the Russians top their league, Liverpool have managed just two wins in their League season and looked nervous in their 1-0 home win over Reading on the weekend. Anzhi can boast Samuel Eto’o and Lacina Traore up front, and that equates to speed, experience and creativity. Liverpool’s record is W1 D1 L1 at home against Russian sides and they can expect a tight match on Thursday. Would look for an Anzhi 0 Asian Handicap for a price of 13/10 with online bookmaker Bet365 because they can earn themselves a result.

Stat Attack:
This is the first meeting between the two sides
Liverpool have a W4 D1 L2 record against Russian sides
Anzhi are unbeaten in seven European games this season
The Reds have never lost successive European games at home

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Liverpool v Anzhi Makhachkala Betting Preview:
Liverpool finally got a home win under their belt on the weekend as they nervously edged across the line against Reading in the Premier League. That was a breakthrough nonetheless. That was Liverpool’s only win in their last three matches in all competitions and again, a bit more prowess up front would have seen them be a lot more comfortable. All pressure is one the shoulders of Luis Suarez up front, and when Reading started attacking them they had to hang on a bit. So they are not a finished product by a long way, but at least they have been finding the back of the net regularly in Europe this season. This is their toughest opponent in the group and need to get something out of this because following this, only one of their three remaining games will be at Anfield. Liverpool have a W1 D1 l1 record at home against Russian sides. Liverpool have yet to show any real European savvy, and they were outwitted tactically by Udinese. Will Rodgers’ have learned from that loss? It was a defeat which snapped a 13 game unbeaten home stretch in Europe for the Reds.

Anzhi, coached by former Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink are a threat. They are unbeaten in seven European matches in this, their first continental campaign since the 2001/02 UEFA Cup. The Russian have good quality up front with Samuel Eto’o and Lacina Traore. The Russians are also very strong through the middle of the park. After earning a 1-1 draw in Udinese, they then recorded a 2-0 home win over Young Boys to sit top of the group on goal difference from Udinese. Liverpool are one point back and a defeat would really hurt the reds. Anzhi are in sharp form, scoring at a rate of two goals per game on the domestic front. They’ll be confident of at least getting a point out of this. They have more attacking options than the home side.