Demba Ba
Demba Ba is hoping to repeat the heroics of his goal against Liverpool last season Getty Images

Besiktas striker Demba Ba is ready to inflict more pain on Liverpool in the Europa League after both teams were drawn against each other in the last 32 stage.

The Turkish club with face the Reds at Anfield on 19 February before the return match at the Olympic Stadium, the scene of Liverpool's 2005 Champions League triumph against AC Milan, as both clubs look to reignite their European season.

Ba has previous against Liverpool, scoring the goal that effectively ended the club's Premier League title charge while playing for Chelsea last season, capitalising on a slip by captain Steven Gerrard to score the opener in a 2-0 win.

And the Senegal forward is ready to repeat those heroics in the new year when against faced with Brendan Rodgers' side, who are currently enduring their worst ever start to a league season.

"It's a difficult pairing," said Ba. "Liverpool are having some hard times now. They couldn't get the results they desired and things are not going well for them. Hard games are ahead of us.

"They are a team which try to strike fast and build up the game as quickly as possible. Their technical capacity is high and they are physically strong.

"If we can snatch a good result in the first leg, it will be an advantage to be playing the second leg at home."

Since leaving Chelsea in the summer, Ba has enjoyed a fruitful start to life with Besiktas – who were knocked out of the Champions League in the third qualifying round by Arsenal – scoring eight goals in 10 league starts amid the club's surge to the summit of Super Lig.

Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hammen has identified Ba as the key threat to the side's Europa league hopes.

"Demba Ba is in their ranks and has scored five goals in Europa League games this season, and they are top of the league," he told Liverpool's official website.

"Don't underestimate them, but if the [Liverpool] team plays to the potential that they can, I expect them to get to the last 16.

"The rules have been changed and the winners get a spot in the Champions League, which would be a tremendous achievement."

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