Can Liverpool reach the knockout stages of the Champions League?

When you think of inspiring Liverpool European performances, the magnificent triumph in the Champions League Final in 2005 springs to mind. In 2009, Liverpool face a different challenge, as they prepare for three matches which ultimatley will seal their Champions League fate for this season, Lyon, Debrecen & Fiorentina stand in the way of Rafa Benitez’s side. Would the failure of Champions League exit at the groups and not winning the Premier League crown be the catalyst for a Bentiez exit?

Firstly, Liverpool will travel to the French city of Lyon for their Matchday 4 encounter with the current French League Leaders. Claude Puel’s side won at Anfield in Matchday 3 thanks to goals from Gonalons & Delgado. Now, Benitez has to whip up something special in what will most certainly be Liverpool’s toughest, yet most vital match of the group. Lyon are an excellent side who have strengthened with purpose after losing out to Laurent Blanc’s Bordeaux in the Ligue 1 title-fight of last season which put a hault to Lyon’s successive run of titles. Liverpool might sit in an awkward position, and the Liverpool supporters might not be too confident about their side, but on paper, Liverpool should be able to get the positive result they need. Its a vital match for Liverpool, there’s no need for any pre-match team-talk as the well-paid Liverpool stars should be motivated enough to save their club from the embarrasing exit.
.
In Matchday 5, Liverpool make the longer journey to Hungary to take on Debrecen, who Liverpool beat 1-0 in Matchday 1. On paper, this should be a hammering, but we’ve already seen Debrecen have given Liverpool a decent game at Anfield, plus they got 2 goals against Serie A’s Fiorentina. The Hungarians don’t have household names, which makes it very difficult to pin-point who the main match winners will be and that could be a problem for Benitez if they come up with a special performance in the stadium named after the Hungarian Mr Special, Ferenc Puskas.

Matchday 6 throws up the exciting prospect of Liverpool v Fiorentina at Anfield. After Stevan Jovetic’s goals in Florence, Liverpool will be aware of the threat the Montenegro International posesses. Based on the assumption Liverpool will beat Debrecen and Lyon, this game bears similarities to Liverpool v Olympiakos a few years back were a Steven Gerrard thunderbolt was enough for Liverpool to sneak through. Fiorentina have a raw goal-threat in their ranks, Adrian Mutu, Jovetic and Gilardino will all be familiar and after the win back in Matchday 2, Cesare Prandelli’s side should be full of confidence in their encounter with Liverpool.

So, we’ve assessed Liverpool’s opponents, we know that Liverpool can be outstanding on their day, but without Gerrard and Torres, they can be a very weak side. I firmly believe Liverpool can whip up something special and qualify for the knockout phase of the Champions League, all it takes is their two star-men to step up to the plate and they can turn over any side. One major positive for Benitez, is the performances of Benayoun who has impressed me alot over recent weeks.

Liverpool have 270 minutes to save their Champions League dreams; inspiration, courage, goals & belief are the needed ingredients for Liverpool to push past the stubborn presence of Lyon, Debrecen and Fiorentina.

By rosstheger