Liverpool have focus - its the players that are a worry

Liverpool play Lyon in a game where defeat could take qualification out of their hands; on the back of six losses in the last seven games. If Lyon avoid defeat then the French team will have qualified and that could be disastrous for Liverpool as Lyon's next game is against Fiorentina - in a match that Liverpool could not then afford for the Italian team to win. If Lyon are off the pace against Fiorentina then Liverpool's final group game could well be rendered academic.

Liverpool needs to win because Debrecen seem destined to finish last with no points suggesting that more than 10 points will be needed to qualify. On the basis that Liverpool can't really risk a draw I would expect the more aggressive attacking line-up that saw off Manchester United rather than the more subdued teams that played either side. So expect Torres to be partnered by Kuyt with Benayoun and Aurelio offering support - it is possible that Aquilani will be plunged into action at some point; especially if Liverpool needs a goal.

With Torres unlikely to play past the hour mark, Liverpool will obviously play aggressive, attacking football from the off because there seems to be little mileage in sitting back for an hour, subbing Torres and then trying to chase the game. For that reason I reckon that Liverpool may well bag the opening goal and it is difficult to look past Torres for the opener (although Benayoun may well get space and opportunities) especially as Lyon may miss 4 central halves - Boumsong, Bodmer, Anderson and possibly Cris. If midfielders Toulalan and Gonalons are forced to deputize then the first half will be a real opportunity for Liverpool.

Difficult game to predict the outcome of, but Liverpool certainly have the players to score a goal or two in the first half. If Liverpool play more like the Man United game than the Fulham game they can win - but they will have to be on top of their game as Lyon are no mugs. If Liverpool are abject they will lose and with so many injuries the players that are available do make replication of the United game difficult.

Tips:
9/2 Torres (First goalscorer)
13/5 Benayoun (Anytime goal)
25/1 Torres to score first and Liverpool win 1-0

(All odds courtesy of Bet365 which is offering £200 in free bets for accounts opened today)