Europa League: Reds eye top spot as they travel to Sion

Liverpool currently sit on nine points, just one ahead of the Swiss side, in Group B

Jurgen Klopp’s men travel to Stade Tourbillon to take on Swiss side Sion in the Europa League on Thursday looking to make amends after a dismal performance saw them end a remarkable week — which saw a 4-1 and 6-1 win over Manchester City and Southampton respectively — with a 2-0 loss to Premier League struggler Newcastle.

Having already guaranteed their place in the last-32 of the competition, the Reds, who sit just a point ahead of second-placed Sion on nine, look to top Group B to draw relatively easier clubs in the knockout rounds.

Defender Dejan Lovren, who has been granted a new lease of life under Klopp, has praised the German and his impact on the team in the short space of time and believes that a lot can be achieved under their new leader.



“We have only been working with him a short time, barely two months, and we have already had some good results with him,” said Lovren. “With his methods and his way of working, I don’t see how we cannot be even better.”

Monaco relying on slim chance to progress

Ligue 1 side Monaco cannot control their own destiny and need a win at already qualified Tottenham to overtake second-placed Anderlecht who come into Group J action with a one-point advantage.

The Belgian side can still go through with a draw at home to newcomers Qarabag but should the Azerbaijani club win and Monaco not, they will snatch second spot having obtained more points in matches among the three teams in question.



“We have a chance of qualifying, but, frankly, it is only a slim one,” said Qarabag coach Gurban Gurbanov. “It will be very difficult - we don’t have enough experience at this level.”

Spurs need a point to guarantee top spot.

Fenerbahce have qualification in own hands

Group A is still in the balance as Istanbul side Fenerbahce can both be knocked out or top the group when they take on eliminated Scottish club Celtic in Turkey.



Ajax must beat qualified Norwegian club Molde and hope Fenerbahce lose if they want to snatch the second spot in the pool. Fenerbahçe midfielder Mehmet Topal explained the importance of the occasion.

“The Celtic game is one of the most important of the season for us,” said Topal. “There’s a chance we could top the group if we beat them.”

Molde come into matchday six with 10 points and are safely into the knockout stages while Fenerbahce are on eight, Ajax six and Celtic two.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th,  2015.

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