Make or break in Champions League for Liverpool

Mario Balotelli scored against Ludogorets at Anfield, but misses this match through injury

Ludogorets will welcome a struggling Liverpool on Wednesday evening in their adopted home of Sofia. Ludogorets’ ground does not meet UEFA standards and so the game will be played in the capital. Sharing the nickname of Crystal Palace “The Eagles” could have another embarrassment in store for Rodgers’ Reds tomorrow evening.

The injury situation for Liverpool has slightly improved with Jose Enrique and Mamadou Sakho both featuring in training. Mario Balotelli though has not travelled with the squad. For Ludogorets, Roman Bezjak is out with a groin problem but defender Yordan Minev has become available after serving a ban.

The last time the two sides met was of course also the first time the two sides met. When we drew Lugogorets in the group it was supposed to be plain sailing at Anfield for Liverpool, however the Bulgarians were no pushovers and showed real promise in attack. Mario Balotelli’s first goal for the club and a penalty from Steven Gerrard secured a win for the Reds.

Whilst a draw is not the final straw for Liverpool on Wednesday night it does make things more difficult. A loss however would spell the end of the Reds' very short lived Champions League return.

Struggling Liverpool need something drastic to change their current form

Liverpool have lost their last three Champions League games without even finding the back of the net and currently it's difficult to see past that stat for Wednesday. Unless Brendan Rodgers makes some serious changes, Liverpool could very easily come undone tomorrow. Ludogorets may be deemed as lowly opposition by some but as proved in their fixture at Anfield, they can cause problems and are effective on the counter attack.

Against a side like Liverpool who are struggling defensively it wouldn't take long for the Bulgarians to find an advantage. Even if Brendan makes several of the long awaited changes, it's still a big ask for the Reds who will then be fielding a team with immense pressure forced upon it. If Kolo Toure gets a start for example, one single mistake and he'll be lambasted. There is zero patience for errors around the place at the moment whether you've been starting every week or if this is your first game in months.

I asked you for your score predictions on Twitter and here are a few of the tweets I received:

I haven't had a bet on the football in a while but I might pop a quid on something ridiculous tomorrow. I'll let you know what I go for on Twitter.

Enjoy the match folks, wherever you are watching!

Published with permission from The Liver Bird.

@LFCKirstyLFC 1-0 red men— Paudie Connolly (@paudieconnolly) November 25, 2014

@_TheLiverBird 1-0 ludogorets. Can't see us winning— Ed#LFC (@Edward13th) November 24, 2014

@lfckirstylfc Lud 1-1 LFC Not confident, might get a goal somehow but not enough goals in the team to beat them away.— Muhammad Usama (@OnlyEmreCan) November 25, 2014