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Preview -
Finally Europe's premier club competition is back and it will also mark the return of an erstwhile European powerhouse in Liverpool. Liverpool last played in this competition in 2009/10 season. After that they've failed to qualify for Europe's best tournament on four occasions.
On the back of a superb league last term Liverpool are back amongst the European elite. Liverpool are drawn in Group B with defending champions Real Madrid and Swiss side FC Basel along with Ludogorets Razgard completing the group.
Ludogorets Razgard are the first Bulgarian side since Levski Sofia to participate in UEFA Champions League group stages since 2006. They made to the group stages with a thrilling penalty shootout win over Steaua Bucuresti. Ludogorets have quite a giant killing pedigree as they like to cause upsets. They reached last 16 of Europa League last season which was their debut appearance in the tournament.
Liverpool do have a good record against Bulgarian teams as they have lost just once that too against CSKA Sofia in 2005 at Anfield.
Team News -
Liverpool -
Liverpool will be without their star striker Daniel Sturridge who is out injured. Joe Allen and new boy Lazar Markovic will miss out due to injury and suspension respectively. Raheem Sterling is expected to make his Champions League debut along with Adam Lallana. Mario Balotelli will lead the line.
Ludogorets Razgard -
Bulgarians don't have any injury concerns to deal with except they will miss their first choice keeper Vladislav Stoyanov due to suspension. Thus, reserve keeper Georgi Argilashki is expected to start at Anfield.
Possible starting lineups
Liverpool: Mignolet; Manquillo, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno; Gerrard, Henderson; Sterling, Coutinho, Lallana; Balotelli
Ludogorets: Argilashki; Moti, Aleksandrov, Minev, Junior; Abalo, Dyakov, Espinho; Marcelinho, Bezjak, Misidjan
Football Mind predicts - Liverpool 3-1 Ludogorets Razgard
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