Group C
With only one point and no goals to show for their opening two games, Bordeaux know they must get something from Wednesday’s encounter with Liverpool to stand a chance of reaching the knockout stage.
The French side drew 0-0 at Galatasaray in their opening group game before losing at home to PSV Eindhoven three weeks ago.
Coach Ricardo Gomes admits that their disappointing start to the group means they will have to adopt a more enterprising approach for the visit of Liverpool.
“We’ll be taking risks in as much as we really want to impose ourselves on Liverpool,” he said.
“We didn’t make the most of our chances against PSV and didn’t give a good account of ourselves. We have to do better this time. It is extremely important for us to take all three points.”
Ricardo is without former Liverpool midfielder Vladimír Smicer as well as Stéphane Dalmat due to injury, while centre-back Marc Planus has not played since the trip to Galatasarayl due to a foot problem.
Rio Antonio Mavuba should come in on the left of midfield and defender Fernando Menegazzo is also set to start.
Liverpool will be without talismanic skipper Steven Gerrard’s after the midfielder strained a hamstring during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Blackburn. However, Ricardo does not believe that the loss will unduly affect the Premiership outfit
“Liverpool are strong and experienced, and have plenty of quality to draft into midfield,” Ricardo said. “I’ve studied them closely over the past few weeks. Without Gerrard they will still be hard to beat.”
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez may ask Boudewijn Zenden to deputise for the captain in central midfield, with the powerful Mohamed Sissoko again likely to be out with an ankle injury.
An ankle injury also makes Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt doubtful, while Robbie Fowler and Daniel Agger are definitely out.
Probable teams
Bordeaux:
Ulrich Ramé; Franck Jurietti, Henrique, David Jemmali, Florian Marange; Geraldo Mauricio Wendel, Fernando Menegazzo, Johan Micoud, Rio Antonio Mavuba; Lilian Laslandes, Jean-Claude Darcheville.
Liverpool:
Pepe Reina; Steve Finnan, Sami Hyypiä, Jamie Carragher, John Arne Riise; Luis García, Boudewijn Zenden, Xabi Alonso, Jermaine Pennant; Peter Crouch, Craig Bellamy.
