The Liverpool Offside - Europa League Coverage: FC Sion vs. Liverpool, Thursday, December 10thZeppeline, Trinken, & Pink Badeshortshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51345/ltos-fav.png2015-12-11T11:00:01+00:00http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/rss/stream/96459972015-12-11T11:00:01+00:002015-12-11T11:00:01+00:00Henderson Lauds "Dangerous" Smith
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<p>Liverpool played their least exciting match ever under Jürgen Klopp, but even that couldn't dull the glow of Brad Smith's debut.</p> <p></p>
<p>Though it wasn't a must-win game for Liverpool since they have already qualified for the knockout rounds of Europa League, Thursday's match against FC Sion was still a nice-to-win game. Jürgen Klopp opted for rotation, the pitch was not exactly winter-proof, and the Reds came away with the dullest of dull draws in recent memory.</p>
<p>But there were some useful things to be found in the match, namely that captain <span>Jordan Henderson</span> finally found himself starting again for the first time since coming back from injury.</p>
<p>"It was nice to play 75 minutes," <a target="_blank" href="http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/henderson-hails-brilliant-smith-liverpool-10583351">Henderson said after the match</a>. "It was a tough game in tough conditions. But we're top of the group and we move forward. [My fitness] was tested tonight on that pitch and I had no problem. Hopefully I've just got to keep managing it - it's been fine so far."</p>
<p>Henderson is referring to the <a target="_blank" href="http://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2015/12/5/9853312/hendo-heartache-over-plantar-fasciitis">plantar fasciitis</a> that will plague him for the rest of his career, and fans will be relieved to find that so far whatever plan the Liverpool physios have cooked up for this pain management seems to be working. The captain was delighted on another level, though, and that was with debutant <span>Brad Smith</span>, who recently found himself <a target="_blank" href="http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-fc-how-brad-smith-10541338">signing a new contract</a> with Liverpool after existing in a state of limbo after his previous contract had run down.</p>
<p>"It was Brad's first start and I thought he was outstanding, brilliant going up and down the left flank," Hendo enthused. "He was dangerous for us, getting good crosses in."</p>
<p>"To get my first start for Liverpool is an honour," Smith continued. "As Hendo said, it was tough conditions but it's good to get the draw and top the group."</p>
<p>With <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool's</a> fullback depth being what it is, Jürgen Klopp will be pleased that not only was he right to sign Smith to a new contract, but that he has someone who has the capability to put in a good effort in the absence of Alberto Moreno. December will continue to be grueling and January is no picnic either, so Liverpool fans are likely to see Smith at least a few more times this season.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2015/12/11/9890310/jordan-henderson-lauds-dangerous-brilliant-debutant-brad-smith-liverpool-fc-sionStitch Invader2015-12-11T03:00:02+00:002015-12-11T03:00:02+00:00Klopp Happy with Group Win, Not with Pitch
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<p>As Liverpool sleep-walk their way into the knockout stages of the Europa League, Jürgen Klopp is looking forward to the challenge.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">With a total of twelve shots between the teams and sloppy play throughout, Thursday night's final fixture in Group B of the Europa League perfectly exemplified the proverbial bore draw. There were a number of factors that lead to the match being such a dull affair; a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> side that didn't need to win, a Sion side that couldn't afford to lose, and a bumpy, partly frozen pitch all played their part. In the end, both sides were more pleased to progress than they were interested in making the match an extravaganza, leaving the spectators as the only losers on the night.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp chose to focus on the positives in his post-match press conference, while acknowledging that the performance wasn't particularly impressive:</p>
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<p><span>"It was difficult because the ground was very difficult to play on for both teams.</span></p>
<p><span>"The first thing to do tonight was to show character and show that you’re prepared for a game like this. That’s what my team did, so I’m really satisfied. Nobody is injured and they were very focused and concentrated on the game, so everything is okay.</span></p>
<p><span>"It was not the football we all know, our best football, but we also know that although it’s an outdoor sport, frozen ground is for other sports usually."(...)</span></p>
<p><span>"I am not surprised about their quality and it had influence on our game, but in football you have to take and accept the circumstances. In England we sometimes have wind and rain, but we cannot say we will stay inside – we have to play. That’s what we did today and everything is okay."</span></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">While the Europa League tends to get a bad rep as a second-tier contest among fans who forget how rare it has been for Liverpool to qualify for the Champion's League in recent years, that perception seems to slowly be shifting. With sides like <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a>, Sevilla, Leverkusen and Porto entering the competition for the knockout stage, there is no lack of quality, and no lack of challenging potential match-ups. Klopp recognizes this:</p>
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<p style="text-align: left;"><span>"There are a lot of very good teams in second place in the Europa League groups and good teams who have come in from the Champions League.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span>"Everybody who thought this tournament is not a first-class tournament will have to change their mind now – everyone will see it’s something like a mini Champions League. I am looking forward to the draw and we’ll see what happens."</span></p>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">While the Thursday-Sunday schedule can be draining on the squad, the benefits of competing in the Europa League - improving the coefficient of club and league, prize money, getting in the habit of winning, matching up against CL quality opposition, possible entry into the CL next year - seem to outweigh the drawbacks. The round of 32 is drawn on Monday, and having a high-level European fixture to look forward to should help keep Liverpool fans warm through the exhausting holiday season.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2015/12/11/9889954/klopp-satisfied-with-progress-in-difficult-conditionsAudun Manum2015-12-10T22:00:02+00:002015-12-10T22:00:02+00:00FC Sion 0, Liverpool 0: Boring, But Effective
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<p>Going into the match, both sides knew a simple draw would be enough for Liverpool to win the group and FC Sion to advance. And a simple draw is exactly what we got. </p> <blockquote>
<p><b>FC Sion 0</b> <br><b>Liverpool 0</b></p>
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<p>With a daunting December and January on the horizon, many saw tonight's Europa League clash as the last opportunity for Jürgen Klopp to rest players. Although Klopp has taken this competition more seriously than his predecessor, he still chose to leave several big names back on Merseyside, including <span>Lucas Leiva</span>, <span>Joe Allen</span>, Jordan Ibe, and Alberto Moreno. As such, we knew it would be a heavily-rotated side before the line-up was even announced.</p>
<p>All told, Klopp made six changes from Sunday's disappointing starting XI. Only James Milner remained in midfield, with captain <span>Jordan Henderson</span> making his first start under Klopp, and <span>Emre Can</span> returning from suspension. Divock Origi was supported by <span>Roberto Firmino</span> and <span>Adam Lallana</span> in the attack. And the defense was a mixture of young and old, with veteran Kolo Toure coming in for Martin Skrtel and <span>Brad Smith</span> getting the start for Alberto Moreno.</p>
<p>Liverpool created a few half-chances early, with Origi and Firmino both attempting shots from outside the box. Origi also made a couple of decent runs inside the box, including one to the back post where he just couldn't make decent contact with Brad Smith's cross to send the ball in toward goal.</p>
<p>On the other end, Smith was filling in nicely, and held his own defensively. He also managed to get forward a few times to stretch play and put in a couple of decent crosses, one leading to <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Liverpool's</a> solitary corner of the night. Can played the deepest of the midfielders, and deputized well for Lucas. Sion rarely looked threatening with the ball. Instead, their best chances would come from set pieces [insert Alexi Lalas joke here], with the Swiss side getting far more opportunities to whip the ball into the box from free kicks and corners. Thankfully, Liverpool's set piece defending was unusually calamity free throughout the night.</p>
<p>The first half ended with a bit of scrappy play and rough fouls from both sides. Sion's striker Assifuah was lucky to stay on the pitch after a late aerial challenge on Milner after just being shown a yellow moments earlier.</p>
<p>The second half began the way the first half ended: boring. And the match failed to really improve from that point on. Much like the first, Origi looked like the only player on the pitch who had an interest in scoring goals. And again, he had a couple of half-chances in the second half. A particularly big chance came courtesy of a perfect through ball from Can, but again, the final product was left wanting. Origi played it around the keeper, but too wide, and could not find the support he needed in or around the box to take advantage of the keeper who had come off his line.</p>
<p>Coutinho made his much-anticipated return at the hour mark, and was promptly swallowed by a sea of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y1wm7CFRCQ">major boredom and general apathy.</a> The other Brazilian, Firmino, continued his run of lack-luster form, failing to contribute much going forward. That said, the front three of Firmino, Origi, and Lallana were much better at pressuring the defense than they showed over the weekend, low bar as that might be to clear.</p>
<p>Henderson came off after 76 solid minutes and was replaced by Jordan Rossiter. It wasn't the best performance from the skipper, but it wasn't bad by any stretch of the imagination. He put in a typically industrious performance and did well to press and clog up the middle of the pitch.</p>
<p>The last substitution was a 90th minute cameo by Cameron Brannagan, on for Firmino. By this point in the preceding, it was obvious that both sides were happy to take their point and move on to the knockout stages. When the final whistle blew, the home fans celebrated the achievement of qualifying for the knockout stage, a feat no previous FC Sion side had accomplished.</p>
<p>You couldn't really call the performance bad, as Sion never really threatened the goal, and Liverpool did create the better chances. But it was incredibly boring, and the scoreless draw was well deserved. Sometimes a scoreless draw is all you need to advance, and both sides made sure that was going to happen tonight.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2015/12/10/9885840/fc-sion-0-liverpool-0-milner-approves-match-recap-europa-league-2015Zachary Marx2015-12-10T19:53:11+00:002015-12-10T19:53:11+00:00FC Sion 0, Liverpool 0: First Thoughts
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<p>Neither team needed more than a draw and it showed. Not much was created on either end, as the teams played their way into the knockout rounds with a drab scoreless draw. </p> <p align="center"><img alt="liverpool blog fc sbn" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg" style="border: 5px solid white;"></p>
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<p><b>FC Sion 0: </b><br><b>Liverpool 0: </b></p>
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<b>Pre-match:</b> Klopp makes six changes from the starting XI on Sunday, opting to leave several key players back on Merseyside. Captain Jordan Henderson gets his first start since recovering from injury, and only his second appearance under Klopp. Really excited to see the Honey Badger back in action. Liverpool just need a point to top the group and get a seeded spot for Monday's draw. However, a win would go a long way to get the bitter taste out of our mouths after the last stinker against Newcastle. <br><br>
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<div align="justify">Sion wearing all red was a bit confusing at first. That's our deal, dammit! Regardless, I've moved past my confusion and now know to root for the team in black. <br><br>
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<div align="justify">Some decent build-up early, including a cross to Origi at the back post that was <i>juuusst</i> beyond the bit striker's ability to make clean contact with it. Can is deputizing for Lucas in the holding midfielder role. <br><br>
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<div align="justify">Better pressing than we saw against Newcastle (granted, it was a low hurdle to clear). Smith is impressing down the left flank early, doing well to join the attack and not noticeably out of his depth defensively. <br><br>
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<div align="justify">Origi looks to be in the mood to score a goal or two tonight. We can add this Belgian to the long list of players seemingly transformed by the new boss. At the very least he's making good runs and keeping the center backs occupied. <br><br>
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<div align="justify">Could have been a second yellow on Sion's striker Assifuah, as he comes in for a late aerial challenge on Milner. For the sake of consistency, Smith goes caution-free after a similar challenge a few moments later. <br><br>
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<b>Halftime:</b> A decent first half for Liverpool, though admittedly not a lot of excitement on either side of the ball. Liverpool have had the better build-up play and 60% of the possession, but nothing too dangerous aside from a couple half-chances from Origi. A draw would see both of these sides through to the knockout rounds, and both sides are playing like it. A goal by either side would certainly liven things up. <br><br>
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<div align="justify">A boring first half has given way to an equally boring first 15 minutes of the second half. Not a lot to report. There's kicking, heading, the occasional foul, etc. Neither team seems to be fussed to get forward or try to score goals at this point. <br><br>
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<div align="justify">The Unicorn returns! Coutinho comes on for Milner. Milner has actually had a decent night, and his pressing game was on point. Maybe Klopp hopes to rekindle that Brazilian magic that we last saw running riot through Manchester City's defense. <br><br>
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<div align="justify">Can picks out Origi with an inch-perfect through ball and nearly catches the keeper out. Unfortunately, Origi can't get the ball under control in time or pick out a teammate to take full advantage. <br><br>
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<div align="justify">Henderson comes off after 76 minutes, replaced by Rossiter. All told, it was a pretty average performance from the skipper, but then again, almost everyone has been pretty average tonight. Still, it was great to see him back starting a match. <br><br>
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<span>Much like poker or war, with hours of boredom followed by moments of sheer terror, Smith very nearly picks out Origi's great run in front of goal. Any contact would have likely resulted in the winning goal, but it wasn't to be. <br></span><br>
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<b>Full time: </b>Neither side deserved much more than a scoreless draw, and that's precisely what they got. Liverpool created a few half-chances from open play, whereas Sion had more chances from set pieces. Either way, not much in it between the sides, and they'll both be marching on to the knockout rounds.</div>
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<p align="center"><img alt="liverpool blog fc sbn" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/images/blog/star-divide.v5e9d7f1.jpg" style="border: 5px solid white;"></p>
<p align="justify">We'll be back shortly to take an in-depth look at everything that happened in today's game with the full recap. Until then, let us know your take on the ups and downs of the match in the comments, and if you haven't already, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/account/setup?community_id=373">join the community on the Liverpool Offside,</a> where we'll have full coverage and lively in-game discussion for every match this season.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2015/12/10/9885796/fc-sion-0-liverpool-0-first-thoughts-match-recap-europa-league-2015Zachary Marx2015-12-10T14:30:02+00:002015-12-10T14:30:02+00:00Matchday: FC Sion vs. Liverpool
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<p>Team sheets, television and streaming options, and live coverage as Liverpool face off against Swiss side FC Sion in the Europa League group stage finale at Stade Tourbillon.</p> <p>Although <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> have already qualified for the knockout rounds of the Europa League, they can still secure a place in the seeded pot for Monday's draw with a win or draw. However, Jürgen Klopp is expected to field a slightly weaker side, with first team regulars <span>Lucas Leiva</span>, <span>Joe Allen</span>, Jordan Ibe, and Alberto Moreno all staying home for the trip.</p>
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<div align="center">The Match</div>
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<p><strong>Full Preview:</strong> <a href="PUT%20PREVIEW%20ADDRESS%20HERE">FC Sion vs. Liverpool</a></p>
<p><strong>Kickoff: </strong>6PM GMT/1PM EST from Stade Tourbillon</p>
<p><strong>Television:</strong> BT Sport Europe (UK); Fox Sports 1 (USA); beIN Sports Australia (Australia); beIN Sports Canada (Canada); Ten Action (India); SuperSport 3 Africa (Kenya); Eurosport Asia (Malaysia); Eurosport Asia (Singapore); other listings at <a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/">LiveSoccerTV</a></p>
<p><strong>Online Streaming:</strong> BT Sport Live Streaming (UK); Fox Sports GO (USA) <br><strong>Online Radio:</strong> <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolfc.com%2Fvideo&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fliverpooloffside.sbnation.com%2F2015%2F12%2F10%2F9884600%2Ffc-sion-liverpool-2015-europa-league-kickoff-tv-listings-team-sheets-online-streaming" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">LFCTV GO</a> (International)</p>
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<p align="center">Vanins<br>Ruefli, Lacroix, Zverotic, Ziegler<br>Kouassi, Salatic<br>Fernandes, Pa Modou, Carlitos<br>Assifuah</p>
<p>Bench: Fickentscher, Vanczak, Sierro, Mujangi Bia, Adao, Akolo, Follonier</p>
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<p align="center">Mignolet<br>Clyne, Toure, Lovren, Smith<br>Milner, Can, Henderson<br>Lallana, Firmino<br>Origi</p>
<p>Bench: Bogdan, Randall, Skrtel, Rossiter, Brannagan, Coutinho, Benteke</p>
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<div align="center">Join the Conversation</div>
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<p>If you haven’t already, sign up for an SBNation account and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/account/setup?community_id=373" target="_blank">join the conversation on the Liverpool Offside</a> where we'll have full coverage of every Liverpool match this season, breaking news, and tactical discussion.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2015/12/10/9884600/fc-sion-liverpool-2015-europa-league-kickoff-tv-listings-team-sheets-online-streamingZachary Marx2015-12-10T03:00:02+00:002015-12-10T03:00:02+00:00Pre-FC Sion Overnight Open Thread
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<p>Five questions to pass the time as we wait for kick off from Stade Tourbillon.</p> <p>1) What's going on at fullback???</p>
<p>2) <span>Joe Allen</span> was left behind in <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>, so who plays that role in midfield?</p>
<p>3) Will Philippe Coutinho see any action?</p>
<p>4) Which of the youth options start the match, and which come of the bench?</p>
<p>5) Will Liverpool finish first or second in the group?</p>
<p>Bonus: What's the most seemingly useless but totally useful gadget you own? I just bought <a href="http://meetmeatmikes.com/how-to-use-a-clover-pom-pom-maker/">a pom-pom maker</a> and already I can tell it will transform my knitting.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2015/12/10/9882672/pre-fc-sion-overnight-open-threadStitch Invader2015-12-09T18:00:02+00:002015-12-09T18:00:02+00:00Origi “Adapted and Ready” to Take His Chance
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<p>Divock Origi says that, following a slow start, he’s adapted and ready to push for a bigger role at Liverpool, and he will get a chance to prove it in the Europa League against FC Sion on Thursday.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">After impressing in the league cup last week with a hat-trick, Divock Origi made way on the weekend in favour of last summer’s big money striker signing, Christian Benteke. On Thursday when <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> take on FC Sion in their final Europa League match, the youngster will come back into the starting lineup.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Origi had a slow start to the season, but that’s hardly surprising for a 20-year-old adapting to a new league. If he can follow up last week’s strong performance with a similar display against Sion, the narrative will quickly shift from adapting to adapted, and for his part, Origi is confident he’s now done just that and is raring to go.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"It shows what kind of quality we have in the group," said Origi about making way on Sunday, a switch that made sense before the match but by the end seemed the wrong move. "We must not forget we are still young and we are still trying to work out things together, so as a team we are learning ever week and every day."</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In addition to Origi, many expect young fullback Connor Randall will be back in the starting lineup. He started shakily in the League Cup but by the end his nerves appeared to have settled. Jordan Rossiter and <span>Brad Smith</span>, also training with the first team this week, could also be in the mix with Liverpool already advanced.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The game is still important, though, as Liverpool need to at least not lose to ensure they top their group and avoid having to face a tougher opponent in the round of 32. They will also be looking to bounce back from the weekend’s poor league result. And for Origi, another strong showing could lead to minutes in the league.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"For me personally, it’s good to be in a team like this and I think I’ll have my chances soon, so I’m very excited," added the young Belgian striker. "The thing for me always was to come in and learn. The most important thing was to progress, and so I just try to learn and to pick things up in training and any games I get.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">"It wasn’t easy to come here, to a new country, a new system, and a new type of football, but I’ve adapted and I’m ready to feature in games to come. We all know Anfield is a nice place to play and to be able to score there would be a dream, so I am doing everything to try to do that but I have to be patient. My time will come."</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/liverpool-fc-news-coverage/2015/12/9/9878246/divock-origi-says-adapted-ready-english-game-slow-start-liverpool-hat-trickNoel Chomyn2015-12-09T14:00:02+00:002015-12-09T14:00:02+00:00Preview: FC Sion vs. Liverpool
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<figcaption>Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The final match of the Europa League group stages sees Liverpool traveling to Switzerland to take on FC Sion.</p> <p>Two steps forward and one step back. While <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> have without a doubt improved significantly since bringing on new manager Jurgen Klopp, the demoralizing loss to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://cominghomenewcastle.sbnation.com/">Newcastle</a> at the weekend will bring to mind unhappy memories from months and years past. The Reds will need to put that unfortunate setback behind them in order to win their Europa League group.</p>
<p>Currently, they're on top of Group B with nine points, but FC Sion only sit one point behind them. Liverpool have already clinched a place in the knockout stages regardless of the result on Thursday, but they'll want to ensure that they come out on top. Sion, on the other hand, need at least a point from this fixture. Without that, they risk being overtaken by third place Rubin Kazan, should they lose to Liverpool and should Rubin Kazan beat Bordeaux.</p>
<p>Despite this, Liverpool fans will be hoping that with the team already through to the next round, Klopp will take the opportunity to rest some key players. In particular, Liverpool's two tired fullbacks could use a break. We're likely to see Connor Randall in the starting line up, as well as Jordan Rossiter, if he's fit to play.</p>
<p>For Liverpool:</p>
<p align="center">Bogdan<br>Randall/ Toure/ Lovren/ Clyne<br>Can/ Rossiter/ Henderson<br>Lallana/ Firmino<br>Origi</p>
<p align="left">It's anyone's guess what the line up will look like, but with advancement secure, it could be that Bogdan will be given a chance to start his first Europa League match. Meanwhile, it seems certain that after Clyne was rested mid-week last week, it will be Moreno rested here, as the Spanish fullback has stayed behind at Melwood. Lucas Leiva has also been left behind to rest, which means Thursday's match would be a good time for Jordan Rossiter to get another chance to play if he's fully fit. Meanwhile, illness is expected to keep fellow youngster Jordon Ibe from taking part.</p>
<p align="left">Kickoff is in the early Europa League slot for this one, at 6<span class="aBn"><span class="aQJ">:00PM BST</span></span>/1:00PM EST, with radio coverage from LFCTV GO online for subscribers across the globe, BT Sport Europe and BT Sport Live Streaming in the UK, and Fox Sports 1 in the US. Elsewhere, it will also be showing on BeIN Sports Australia in Australia, BeIN Sports Canada in Canada, TEN Action in India, Supersport 3 Africa in Kenya, and Astro SuperSport Asia and Eurosport Asia in both Malaysia and Singapore. You can find other listings at <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/" data-ref-index="6">LiveSoccerTV</a>.</p>
<p id="paragraph9" class="pgh-paragraph" align="left">We'll be keeping you updated with all the buildup to the game, including team news as it's released, our live matchday thread and post-match recaps from The Liverpool Offside staff. If you want to join in with the matchday discussion, sign up for an SB Nation account to have your say on the game as it happens.</p>
https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/2015/12/9/9873914/fc-sion-liverpool-europa-league-2015-match-preview-team-news-ways-to-watchepicskyline