19' 0-1 Hulk // 28' 1-1 L. Suarez // 43' 2-1 J. Allen // 59' 3-1 L. Suarez






Trailing 2-0, Liverpool will seek to keep alive their last realistic chance of winning a trophy this season when they take on Zenit St. Petersburg of Russia on Thursday (21 February) at Anfield, in the second leg of their Europa League last 32 tie.

Liverpool will need one of those special European nights at Anfield if they are to have any chance of qualifying against Zenit St Petersburg.

The Reds go into the match on Thursday trailing 2-0 from last week's first leg in Russia.

Rodgers has selection problems in attack, where Daniel Sturridge is ineligible, and Italian Fabio Borini injured - the manager stressed the importance of scoring first.

SOUNDBITE (English): Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool manager:
"The important factor isn't an early goal. The important factor is the first goal, and if we can get the first goal that can set us up." There's little doubt that Rodgers will be relying on club captain Steven Gerrard to have to be on top form if the Merseyside club are to progress.

SOUNDBITE (English): Lucas Leiva, Liverpool midfielder remained confident.
"It's a competition we always wanted to do well in, and we always know these special nights, the European nights at Anfield the crowd give to us, so it will be an important game for us, going forward this season as well."

The Europa League is Liverpool's last realistic chance of winning a trophy this season.

Zenit hope to silence Anfield crowd


Zenit St. Petersburg are hoping to qualify for the last 16 of the Europa League, when they take on Liverpool at Anfield on Thursday.

Zenit St. Petersburg hold a significant advantage heading into the second leg of their Europa League tie against Liverpool at Anfield.

Luciano Spalletti's side lead two nil on aggregate but the Italian knows that Zenit will have to silence the home crowd early on.

SOUNDBITE (Italian): Luciano Spalletti, Zenit coach
++ AUDIO AS INCOMING ++
"Of course the first fifteen minutes of the match are crucial. The Liverpool team could keep us in our half and we might have to defend. But we will keep following the strategy we have devised for the game."

SOUNDBITE (Italian): Luciano Spalletti, Zenit coach
" We need to be particularly well prepared because we know Liverpool have a very good reputation for big performances in big matches. Very often when they lose a first leg, they come back, overcome the obstacle and win through."

If Zenit can keep Anfield quiet, the 2008 UEFA Cup champions stand a good chance of setting up a last 16 tie against Swiss side Basel or FC Dnipro of Ukraine.