Liverpool v Lyon Preview (Champions League)

By Brian Lofrumento | 20th October 2009

Liverpool v Lyon Preview (Champions League) | read this item

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liverpool training Liverpool face a tricky Champions League tie at Anfield against French giants Olympique Lyonnais. Fernando Torres is the major absence for Rafa Benitez’s side, but captain Steven Gerrard makes a return to the squad.

Liverpool

Team News:

Steven Gerrard recovers in time for the match and is expected to start for Rafa’s side.
Fernando Torres doesn’t shake his injury off and will miss the match.
Javier Mascherano is expected to make a return to Liverpool’s starting eleven after missing out against Sunderland on Saturday.
Liverpool sit in third place in Group E, behind Italians Fiorentina and opponents Lyon.

Liverpool Form:

The controversial balloon goal at The Stadium of Light handed Liverpool their fourth loss of the season as they fell 1-0 to Sunderland.
Liverpool sit in eight place in the Premier League and third place in their Champions League group.
On Sunday the Reds will play host to heated rivals Manchester United.

Key Man: Steven Gerrard. It’s no coincidence that Liverpool lost to Sunderland at the weekend without their talismanic captain, and with Gerrard back in the side Liverpool should look much better. They may not be a complete team without Fernando Torres as well, but Gerrard can pull a rabbit out of a hat.

Lyon

Team News:

Sidney Govou and Kim Kallstrom, who both missed Lyon’s league match on Saturday, are expected to return to Lyon’s lineup.
Lisandro Lopez, despite having a slight groin strain, is expected to start against Liverpool.
Lyon were without three of their defenders in their last league match: Mathieu Bodmer, Jean-Alain Boumsong, and Cleber Anderson.

Lyon Form:

Lyon suffered their first defeat of the 2009/10 campaign at the weekend as they lost 2-0 to Sochaux.
Lyon have a perfect record in this year’s Champions League group stage as they sit atop Group E.
Lyon sit at the top of the Ligue 1 table, tied on points with Montpellier.

Key Man: Lisandro Lopez. The man who some claim to be better than Wayne Rooney, Lisandro Lopez is Lyon’s key man in this match. He may have a slight groin strain, but nothing can stop Lopez from missing such a big match.

Prediction

Liverpool are always strong at Anfield and always strong in the Champions League, so all signs are pointing towards a strong showing for the Premiership side. Lyon, meanwhile, are enjoying great success domestically and in Europe, and their perfect record in the group stage shows that they can beat anyone. Nonetheless, I’m going to plump for a 2-1 Liverpool win.