Liverpool’s recent away form is actually pretty decent but they have travelled without a host of first team players to Russia and look up against it to me in the Europa League.
The Reds head to Moscow to take on Anzhi and manager Brendan Rodgers has chosen to give the majority of his established stars the night off.
Liverpool’s regulars were just about good enough to squeeze past their upcoming opponents a fortnight ago at Anfield, Stewart Downing’s goal proving the difference, but Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez and Glenn Johnson are among those left behind and the Merseyside club will do very well to leave with anything other than a beating.
That trio stayed in England along with Pepe Reina, Joe Allen and Daniel Agger and Liverpool face a huge task to add to their Europa League points haul versus a side in terrific form in front of their own fans
Big-spending Anzhi have won each of their four home Europa League fixtures this season, all without conceding a goal, and it is now 19 wins in their previous 23 matches in all competitions when hosting.
In addition to that 1-0 defeat at Anfield, Guus Hiddink’s team have drawn 1-1 with Udinese in Italy and also defeated Young Boys in this competition and the Dutchman knows victory in the Russian capital will take Anzhi above their opponents in the standings with two games remaining.
Hiddink is targeting success on all fronts and, while his team are currently just one point adrift of CSKA Moscow domestically, an extended stay in Europe is a priority, too.
Cameroon international Samuel Eto’o will once again lead the line for the Russian club and Hiddink has fielded a strong line up in each of Anzhi’s Europa League matches this term.
Liverpool, who feature no recognised striker in their squad with any amount of first team experience, will do well to penetrate a well organised defence and I think one goal from Eto’o, or his teammates, will be enough for Anzhi to prevail.
3pts Back Anzhi (vs. Liverpool) @ 1.80 (various)