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Georgi Dermendzhiev
Ludogorets manager Georgi Dermendzhiev will hope his team can cause an upset and beat Liverpool on Wednesday Getty

Liverpool travel to Bulgaria to face Ludogorets in a crucial Champions League fixture, a game both teams need a win to stay alive in Group B.

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 7:45pm GMT. Live coverage of the match will be available on Sky Sports 5 and Sky Sports 5 HD. Live Radio coverage is available on BBC Radio 5Live.

Overview

Liverpool have to win both their remaining group fixtures if they are to have any chance to progress to the knockout phase of the tournament, but come into this game in their worst form.

The Reds have suffered three consecutive losses in the Premier League since their 1-0 loss to Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on match day 4.

Brendan Rodgers is aware that he needs to lift the players and turn around their fortunes and get a much needed win to arrest their sudden slump. Victory over the Bulgarian club will ensure a top three finish, but they will need to beat FC Basel on the final match day to have a chance of progressing to the next round.

The Northern Irishman has his share of injury troubles with main striker Daniel Sturridge absent till the new year and defender Mamadou Sakho just returning from a long-term layoff.

Moreover, the Anfield outfit have had troubles on both ends of the pitch, with the defense unable in keeping a clean sheet and the forward line failing to score. Mario Balotelli is out injured as well and it will be up to Rickie Lambert, who has just played nine minutes of Champions League football this season to lead the line in Bulgaria.

Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers will hope Liverpool can get a much needed win to stay alive in the Champions League Getty Images/Alex Livesey

Meanwhile, Ludogorets will come into this game knowing that a defeat will end their run in Europe, and that only a win will give them a chance to at least secure Europa League football. However, the minnows of Group B have given a great account of themselves, after beating Basel 1-0 and losing narrowly to Real Madrid and Liverpool by 2-1 margins.

Georgi Dermendzhiev will hope that his team can put in similar performances like they did against Real Madrid and Basel. The manager has revealed that his team will play without fear as they have nothing to lose. He is proud of their achievements thus far and a victory over Liverpool will be an added bonus for the rest of the season.

What Managers Say

Brendan Rodgers: "We have enormous respect for Ludogorets. They were excellent at Anfield in the first game and maybe they should have won more points. They have surprised a lot of people. They are technically a very good side. We arrive here seriously motivated. We know if we play well, we will get a result. I just need to get us back to a level of confidence that allows you to perform. Losing can be the making of you. You learn from it. That is what we are aiming to do."

Georgi Dermendzhiev: "This will be one very tough game for us and I hope the fans will enjoy it. There will be no pressure on us, we'll play freely and give our best to win. We have already gained a lot of experience, we now have a serious routine [at this level]. It won't be fatal for us if we lose."

Betting Odds (888Sport.com)

  • Liverpool to win: 1
  • Draw: 13/5
  • Ludogorets to win: 11/4

Team News

Liverpool

  • Injured: Sturridge (thigh), Balotelli (hamstring), Flanagan (knee), Suso (groin)
  • Doubtful: Sakho (thigh)
  • Suspended: N/A

Possible XI: Mignolet; Manquillo, Škrtel, Lovren, Moreno; Lallana, Gerrard, Henderson; Coutinho; Lambert, Sterling.

Ludogorets

  • Injured: Bezjak (hernia)
  • Doubtful: N/A
  • Suspended: N/A

Possible XI: Stoyanov; Júnior Caiçara, Terziev, Moţi, Minev; Dyakov, Fábio Espinho, Alexandrov, Abalo, Marcelinho; Hamza.

Liverpool FC Brendan Rodgers Champions League