Liverpool

The Reds have made great strides under Kenny Dalglish since the departure of his predecessor Roy Hodgson. Apart from a blip last weekend in a 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic, results have started to go in favour of the Merseyside club.

Liverpool have already had some tough away days in the Europa League this season, with difficult trips to Holland, Italy and Romania. They have only managed to score one goal away from home in the competition, which came in a 1-1 draw with Steaua Bucharest.

Liverpool managed to battle out goalless away draws against Napoli and FC Utrecht whilst blooding youngsters in Europe. Like Manchester City against Aris Salonika, Liverpool may now look to strengthen their team for the knockout stages.

The Reds are without their skipper Steven Gerrard and experienced defender Daniel Agger, as they have been sidelined with injury. New signing Andy Carroll has travelled with the squad to the Czech Republic but he is still not fit enough to make his Liverpool debut.

One talented youngster who could make his first appearance for the Anfield club at the tender age of just 16 years and 71 days is Raheem Sterling.

The Jamaica-born striker would become the youngest player ever to play for the Liverpool first team if he manages to get on to the pitch on Thursday night.

Sparta will be another difficult nut to crack – especially on their home turf. It looks like it’s going to be close contest in the Czech capital and a low goal-scoring draw looks to be on the cards.

Flying the flag for Scotland in Europe are Glasgow Rangers who face Sporting Lisbon at Ibrox on Thursday (Rangers 6/4, draw 23/10, Sporting Lisbon 9/5).

As they did when they reached the final of the Europa League in 2008, Gers will be looking to make themselves difficult to beat.

Rangers will head into their first game in Europe without their season’s top goalscorer Kenny Miller who moved to Bursaspor in the January transfer window.

Rangers have to get something out of this home leg if they want any chance of going through to the latter stages of this tournament.

In front of a packed house at Ibrox, Gers could just grab a goal to have a slender lead going into the tough second leg back in Portugal.

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