Liverpool v Rabotnicki – Reds begin Europa League quest

Europa League Betting

Liverpool v Rabotnicki Betting Odds

Rabotnicki to win: 12/1 at Totesport
Draw: 5/1 at Boylesports
Liverpool to win: 1/4 at Stan James

Thursday, July 29th, Skopje, Macedonia, Kick Off: 19.45 GMT

New Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson takes his troops in competitive battle for the first time on Thursday, as the Anfield outfit look to book their place in the Group Stages of the Europa League. Yes, that is the extent of Liverpool’s adventures in Europe for this season, having to qualifying for the Europa League, and it begins against Macedonia side Rabotnicki Skopje. There have been hints that while Hodgson was expected to leave some of his senior players out of the side, he is respectful enough of the competition to contemplate throwing in the likes of Steven Gerrard and former Chelsea player Joe Cole. Both were involved at the World Cup, along with the likes of Jamie Carragher, Glen Johnson, Milan Jovanovic and Javier Mascherano and wanted to give them some extra rest ahead of the new season. But the Anfield boss could well be leaning towards putting Gerrard and Cole in particular, right into the starting line up. While the situation is not too tough of one, it is one which needs a confident hand to get through without any kind of scares. The calming influence of the midfield general Steven Gerrard, would certainly help in that factor.

Despite the quality of the opposition, Liverpool and Hodgson can afford no early scares as they look to qualify for the competition. There will be a play-off round for them if they get through this third qualifying round, so there is still work to do. Hodgson’s decision may go against the advice of the Anfield medical crew, who are insistent that the players still need more of a break in order to be ready for the new Premier League season which starts in August. Liverpool lost to German side Kaiserslautern 1-0 on the weekend in which new signing Milan Jovanovic got a run out, and under pressure striker David Ngog got a start. The speculation over Fernando Torres still swells, as Hodgson is hopeful that he will stay at the club, but admits that the player has a problem with the club, and not Hodgson himself. If he does depart it will leave a huge hole in the club, and although Torres is expected to return to training on Monday as he recovers from an injury, the window of opportunity to transfer him will be closing soon.

Argentinean midfielder Javier Mascherano has demanded that he be allowed to leave Anfield, as he wants to join up with former boss Rafa Benitez at Inter Milan. Mascherano and Maxi Rodriguez both turned up for training at the beginning of the week, but the Mascherano camp has been unhappy about his future at Anfield. Contract talks between him and the club have fallen down, and it is more likely than not that Hodgson will agree to the sale, in order to raise some funds for the club. Despite missing out on Champions League football, and despite the threat of departing players, there is a sense of optimism around Liverpool supporters that the clearing out of Rafa Benitez has been helpful. There is an unknown quantity in charge no, in terms of experience at the top level of the English game in Hodgson, but he could just be the right hand needed to steady the ship. Their first task is to come through the Europa League qualifier away leg on Thursday in Macedonia, and take on step closer to reaching the group stage. Last season, Hodgson took Fulham all the way to the final of the Europa League, where they lost to Atlético Madrid, Liverpool’s conquerors in the competition. They really should have not too many problems in this fixture, the only concern is the lack of striking power up front and being able to take changes.

Europa League Third Qualifying Round To Qualify
Liverpool: 1/33 at Bet365
Rabotnicki: 14/1 at Bwin