Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's Europa League clash between Liverpool and Bordeaux at Anfield. It is the penultimate round of fixtures in Group B, and there is plenty riding on this match tonight. The last 32 is potentially just 90 minutes away for the hosts, while Bordeaux could see their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds ended here. Let's start with a look at the two teams...

LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Mignolet; Clyne, Toure, Lovren, Moreno; Lucas, Allen, Milner, Ibe, Firmino; Benteke

LIVERPOOL SUBS: Bogdan, Lallana, Can, Origi, Skrtel, Brannagan, Randall

While we wait for the Bordeaux team news to filter through, what can we make of that starting XI for Liverpool? Well, perhaps the biggest news is the inclusion of Christian Benteke, who was consigned to a place on the bench against Man City at the weekend. The Belgian did, however, come on as a sub in the second half, missing a gilt-edged chance when one on one with Joe Hart, and he starts this evening as Firmino, who played as the most advanced at the Etihad, drops into a deeper role.

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Notably, there is no Daniel Sturridge in the squad at all despite the England international being expected to get some game time this evening. Reports suggest that he has picked up a foot injury, which is why he is not involved tonight, and Liverpool can only hope that it doesn't result in another prolonged spell on the sidelines. Sturridge is yet to play under Klopp, but was an unused sub against Man City at the weekend.

As mentioned, Firmino drops into a slightly deeper role tonight having thrived against Manchester City at the Etihad. He and Coutinho, who is absent tonight due to a hamstring injury, linked up quite brilliantly at the weekend and looked almost unstoppable at times, running rings around a calamitous City defence. It was certainly Firmino's best performance in the red of Liverpool and he will be hoping to build on that tonight.

In all, Klopp has made four changes to that side from the weekend, with two of those being forced on him. Skrtel is only deemed fit enough for the bench having suffered from illness since scoring the fourth in the City rout, while Coutinho is the other to be ruled out. Can and Lallana, who were also impressive at the Etihad, drop to the bench alongside Skrtel, with Jordon Ibe and Joe Allen replacing those two in the side.

Lucas, Allen and Milner are expected to play as a trio in midfield, with a front three of Ibe, Firmino and Benteke ahead of them, while the likes of Clyne and Moreno will look to get forward whenever possible down their flanks. Kolo Toure slots into the centre of the defence to replace Skrtel, which means that Liverpool are now without their two first-choice centre-backs with Sakho still sidelined by a knee injury. Mignolet, as ever, starts between the sticks.

BORDEAUX STARTING XI: Carrasso; Biyogo Poko, Sane, Yambere, Contento; Jussie, Chantome, Plasil; Saivet, Crivelli, Rolan

BORDEAUX SUBS: Ounas, Traore, Diabate, Maurice-Belay, Guilbert, Poundje, Prior

Willy Sagnol also makes four changes to his side, then, and the biggest miss for the visitors tonight is that of Khazri. The playmaker is a key player for the French outfit but misses out through suspension this evening. Indeed, Bordeaux are without a few members of their squad for this match, with Pallois and Maurice-Belay just two of the players in action at the weekend who are not deemed fit enough to start tonight.

Maurice-Belay does start on the bench, however, with Rolan replacing him in the starting XI this evening. He will play alongside Crivelli, who scored one of Bordeaux's two goals at the weekend, and Saivet. Plasil returns to the side behind them in midfield, while Liverpool will know all about Jussie having been on the end of his equalising goal in the reverse fixture back in September.

Contento was also on the scoresheet at the weekend and keeps his place as a result, with Biyogo Poko the only change to the back five. The real hero on Sunday was Carrasso in goal, though, as he saved a penalty in the sixth minute of stoppage time that would have given Rennes a 3-2 victory after Pallois had been handed his marching orders for conceding the spot kick.

Liverpool have not been entirely convincing over the course of this season, be that under Brendan Rodgers or Jurgen Klopp, but the signs are certainly beginning to look a little more promising now. Their performance at the weekend was a throwback to the 2013-14 season when they came so close to winning the title, and this evening they can improve what has already been a good week by sealing their place in the last 32 with a game to spare.

Victory tonight would also send the Reds to the top of Group B after Rubin Kazan picked up their first win over Sion earlier today. Liverpool remain two points off the Swiss leaders as a result, but they are now the only unbeaten team in the group and would become the first side to qualify with three points here. It hasn't all been straightforward in the Europa League, starting as they did with three 1-1 draws, but their victory away to Rubin Kazan last time out has put them in a strong position.

Goals have been hard to come by for the Reds in the Europa League this season, managing just one per game, but it certainly isn't through a lack of trying. They have had more shots than any other side in the competition, firing 87 at goal, including blocked efforts. If they hope to go further than just the first couple of knockout rounds then they will likely need to find their shooting boots.

Goals have been a problem for most of the season in truth, although that does appear to be changing with eight in their last three league outings. Before the rout of Man City, though, Liverpool had managed to score just 13 times in the Premier League this season, and even now they remain the lowest scorers in the top nine. It isn't like they have been particularly tight at the back either, with 15 goals conceded in their 13 games.

The victory over Man City was also just the second time all season that Liverpool had won a game by more than one goal, with the other being at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. It is curious that their two best performances of the season have come in what would have been earmarked as the two toughest games of the season before the campaign began, but Klopp must now find a way to transfer those sorts of displays to Anfield and against teams that they are expected to beat.

Liverpool have only won one of their last five games at Anfield, with that coming against Bournemouth in the League Cup, while over the course of the whole season they have only emerged victorious three times in front of their own fans, drawing five and losing two. Their most recent game here saw them beaten by Crystal Palace, although that does remain the only defeat in the Jurgen Klopp era so far, home or away. They have won four of their last five outings in all competitions and lost just one of their last 14, although the majority of those have been draws.

As far as this competition is concerned, Liverpool are unbeaten in their last six here at Anfield, since a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Udinese in October 2012. That is their only home loss in either the UEFA Cup or the Europa League since March 2003 when they were beaten 2-0 by Celtic - a run that spans more than 12 years and 24 matches. They are still looking for their first home win of this season's Europa League, though, having drawn their previous two games here.

It is much the same story with Bordeaux away from home, with the French side sharing the spoils in both of their Europa League matches on the road this season. A draw is unlikely to be enough this evening, however, with three points already separating these two sides and Liverpool currently sitting in the final qualification spot in Group B. Defeat would see Bordeaux eliminated, while victory would lift them up into second, so this really is a must-win game for the visitors.

They began the day third in the group, but Rubin's victory over Sion means that they are now bottom of the pile with two games remaining. They are also now the only side yet to win in Group B, having drawn three and lost one of their four matches so far. Like Liverpool, goals have been an issue, although Bordeaux have only managed two from their four games, conceding three.

They actually began their Europa League campaign all the way back in July against AEK Larnaca in the third qualifying round, winning 4-0 on aggregate. Kairat were next up in the playoffs and, despite losing the second leg 2-1, they progressed on away goals to book their place in the groups by the skin of their teeth. A draw against Liverpool on matchday one was a decent enough start, but further draws with Rubin and Sion, in addition to defeat to Sion, have made it tough for them to qualify now.

Their win over Larcana in the third qualifying round remains their solitary away win of the season in all competitions, with Bordeaux going 10 matches on the road without winning since. They have drawn six and lost four away games since the start of the Ligue 1 season, while looking back towards the tail end of last term that victory over Larcana was their only win in their last 15 on their travels.

Their general form is a little better, with just one defeat in their last five games in all competitions, but they have really struggled for consistency this season. They have only won two of their last nine outings and three of their last 14, with seven draws in that time, while they also haven't won back-to-back matches since their domestic season began.

As a result, they aren't doing too well in Ligue 1 at the moment. They currently sit 13th in the table, and their inconsistency is perhaps best summed up by the fact that they have won four, drawn six and lost four of their 14 games this season. They are six points off fourth place, which is the final Europa League spot in Ligue 1, while seven points separate them from third place - which would get them a spot in the Champions League next season.

In contrast to their Europa League record, it is the defence that has let Bordeaux down in Ligue 1 so far this season. No team outside the bottom two have conceded more than Bordeaux's 21 this season, while at the other end of the field they have netted 19 times - a tally that is level with second-placed Lyon and one that only four teams in the entire league can beat.

Bordeaux come into this match off the back of a dramatic 2-2 draw on Sunday, and they will be relatively happy with having come away with anything in the end. They were forced to come from behind twice against Rennes, but it looked as though they wouldn't have any time to launch a third comeback when their hosts were awarded a penalty in the 95th minute. Sio stepped up for Rennes but saw his spot kick saved by Carrasso to rescue the point.

In contrast, Liverpool were irresistible at the weekend as they blew Man City away at the Etihad. A Mangala own goal got the Reds on their way early, and further strikes from Coutinho and Firmino handed them a 3-0 lead after just 32 minutes. Aguero did pull one back for City just before half time, but Liverpool well and truly put the game to bed in the final 10 minutes when Skrtel slammed home a volley. It was certainly the best performance of the Klopp reign so far, and will be something that he is keen to build on with another positive showing here.

We should probably expect to be waiting a while for any goals this evening, with four of the five that have gone in in Europa League games involved Bordeaux this season arriving in the second half. Liverpool will need to be patient, with Bordeaux likely to sit back for much of the game, but a draw doesn't do much for the visitors either, so sooner or later they will need to come out of their shells.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at Anfield, which means that it is time for a prediction! Liverpool should be flying after that result against City and, while their home record under Klopp has not been particularly inspiring so far, they will be expected to run out fairly comfortable winners tonight. I'm going to go for a 2-0 home triumph.

The history of this fixture certainly points towards a Liverpool victory. Bordeaux have never beaten the Reds in their three previous meetings, losing twice and drawing the reverse of tonight's clash back in September. Indeed, that goal in France is the only time that they have even found the back of the net against Liverpool.

Their general record in England is even worse. Bordeaux have lost on all five of their previous visits to these shores and have failed to even score a goal in any of those games. Their overall record against English opposition is one win and seven defeats from their 11 outings.

By contrast, Liverpool have won 10 of their 13 home matches against French opposition down the years, losing just twice in that time. If Bordeaux are looking for any sign of encouragement, though, both of those defeats have come in the last four times that Liverpool have hosted a team from France. Liverpool have made it through to the knockout stages in both of their previous Europa League campaigns, but Bordeaux failed to progress from the group last time they were involved in this competition.

Okay, the players are out and the pre-match niceties have been fulfilled, so we're just about ready to go here at Anfield.

KICKOFF: Liverpool get us underway here at Anfield as they look to progress into the last 32 with a game to spare.

Bright start to the match from Bordeaux, who have begun with plenty of energy both on and off the ball. Rolan cuts inside and threatens the Liverpool defence with a direct run, but the hosts are able to deal with it.

CHANCE! Liverpool played lots of intricate football at the weekend, but this is pure route one stuff as Mignolet's clearance upfield sends Firmino clean through on goal. The ball is dropping and he goes for a half-volley, but doesn't really catch it and the keeper is able to make a simple stop.

Another half chance for the hosts as Moreno gets a second bite at the cherry after seeing his corner dealt with, hanging the ball up towards Benteke at the back post. The striker towers over his marker, but is penalised for pushing the defender.

Again Liverpool get in behind the Bordeaux defence, with Firmino timing his run to perfection to latch on to a lofted ball over the top. He controls the ball, but Bordeaux are back quickly and able to crowd the Brazilian out before he can pull the trigger.

It is all Liverpool at the moment after a fairly bright start from the visitors. The majority of the game has been played in the Bordeaux half, but Liverpool have been unable to take an early advantage of their dominance.

CHANCE! Almost a gift for Bordeaux as a Lovren clearance hits a white shirt, which inadvertently acts as a through-ball. It is an awkward one for Mignolet, who comes out of his area to deal with it but then heads the ball straight to Chantome. Toure is alert to the danger and blocks the subsequent shot, though.

This looks like a worry for Bordeaux as Saivet goes down clutching his knee following a clash with Benteke, and he looks in some pain. It does only appear to be an impact injury, though, so he should be fine to continue.

Saivet is fine to continue, and Bordeaux as a team have got themselves back into the game after a spell on the back foot. The visitors are pressing well, which is a tactic usually associated with Liverpool, and they are asking a few questions of the hosts here.

Liverpool have given the ball away too often in the opening 20 minutes or so here. Some of their passing has been quite slick, but they have been picked off more often than not when trying to make a killer pass into the final third.

Good chance for Bordeaux to test Mignolet here as Allen concedes a free kick in a very dangerous position...

It is a waste from Saivet as he fires the free kick straight into the wall, before slicing the rebound a long way off target.

CHANCE! Better from Liverpool as they get the ball forward quickly to Benteke, who finds himself with only the keeper to beat. The flag stays down and the Belgian controls the ball well enough on his chest, but his early effort is narrowly wide of the near post.

Almost an opening for the home side as Milner whips a cross into the middle that Allen attacks having made the run forward into the area. It is just cleared away before the Welshman can get his head to it, though.

Allen has another sight of goal here, but it is a waste from the midfielder. Again it is Milner who acts as the creator, coming forward down the right before cutting inside and laying the ball back to the Welshman. He lines up his effort from the edge of the box, but his left-footed strike is tame and trickles wide of the upright.

Lovely play from Ibe as he cuts back on himself down the left before swinging an enticing ball towards the back post. It is just too high for Benteke, but the ball drops into a dangerous position and Milner is not far from making contact with it.

Good pressure from Liverpool as they put a few crosses into the box in quick succession. The last of the lot is cleared as far as Toure on the edge of the box, and the defender juggles it before volleying one goalwards. It would have been some goal from such an unlikely source, but it is never threatening the Bordeaux goal.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Liverpool have the ball in the back of the net, but the celebrations are quickly cut short. It was good play from Ibe to create the chance as he came forward down the left before sliding a ball through to Benteke. The Belgian in turn helped it past the keeper, but the lineman's flag is correctly raised.

It hasn't been the best opening 30 minutes of football in truth, particularly after what we saw Liverpool were capable of at the weekend. They are on top here, but it is nowhere near the level we saw against City on Saturday.

Huge chance for Bordeaux here, which comes about in bizarre circumstances. Mignolet is penalised for holding onto the ball for too long, which gifts Bordeaux an indirect free kick inside the Liverpool box...

Bordeaux take full advantage of that incredible turn of events by taking the lead. You very rarely see a free kick given for that and while, by the letter of the law the referee is right, it is very unlikely that Mignolet was time wasting there. Even so, you can take nothing away from Saivet's finish as he curls an effort into the top corner having been teed up.

Mignolet did hold on to the ball for an awfully long time and it will have to go down as a goalkeeping error there. Liverpool may feel a little hard done by simply because it is so rare to see that penalised, but the referee is perfectly within his rights to award the indirect free kick there.

Quick response from Liverpool as they level things up from the spot within five minutes of going behind. It is another soft one from the referee, though, with Sane being penalised for holding on to Benteke inside the box. The Liverpool striker went down softly and there wasn't too much in it, but it was a rather needless challenge from Sane as Benteke wasn't going to get it. The Bordeaux defender is booked for his troubles, but the ultimate punishment arrives when Milner sends the keeper the wrong way from 12 yards.

Yet another soft decision from the referee as he penalises Ibe for a push on the Bordeaux left. That hands the visitors a free kick in a good crossing position...

The ball is swung into the middle and Sane rises highest to meet it, but he gets far too much on his effort and sends the header well off target.

I expected Bordeaux to be a little more defensive than they have been tonight. They have looked to get forward in numbers whenever they have had the ball and are by no means parking the bus and hoping for a goal on the break here.

There will be a minimum of one minute added time at the end of this first half.

What a way to end the half for Liverpool! It is a fine strike from Benteke as he collects Clyne's cross from the right before lashing a half-volley past a helpless Carrasso from just inside the area. The defending wasn't great from the visitors, but take nothing away from that hit.

The first time comes to an end at Anfield, then, and it is Liverpool who go into the break ahead, although they were forced to come from behind against Bordeaux. The hosts have enjoyed the better of the possession, but their performance hasn't been anywhere near the level they set themselves against City at the weekend. Even so, if things stay the same then they will progress to the last 32 this evening.

The opening goal came in bizarre circumstances as Mignolet was penalised for holding on to the ball for too long when waiting to boot it upfield. It is a very rare occurrence, but the Liverpool keeper can have no complaints having kept hold of the ball for more than 20 seconds rather than the regulation six. Liverpool packed men into the wall to defend the indirect free kick, but Saivet curled his effort perfectly into the top corner.

Liverpool were behind for just five minutes, however, before another controversial call from the referee gave them their equaliser. Sane was adjudged to have pulled Benteke over inside the area when competing for a Milner cross, although the replays showed that it was a rather soft decision to award the penalty, particularly as Benteke had no chance of getting on the end of it. The referee pointed to the spot, though, and Milner sent the keeper the wrong way from 12 yards.

Liverpool completed the turnaround with the final action before half time, and this time it was Benteke who got his own name on the scoresheet. Clyne's cross from the right found the striker, who took one touch before lashing an effort on the turn past the keeper. It was some hit from the Belgian, with the ball flashing beyond Carrasso before he could even react.

Firmino and Benteke have both also come close for Liverpool so far having got behind the defence following lofted balls forward, while Bordeaux's best chance aside from the goal fell to Chantome after another dodgy piece of goalkeeping from Mignolet. The Belgian was forced to come out of his area to deal with a deflected clearance, but his header fell straight to an opposition and Liverpool needed Toure to make the block.

KICKOFF: Bordeaux get us back underway for the second half here at Anfield, with Liverpool just 45 minutes away from a place in the last 32 as things stand.

Firmino has given the ball away on a few occasions this evening, which will be a concern for Klopp. The Brazilian was excellent at the weekend, but still needs to show a bit more consistency in his play.

CHANCE! Big chance for Liverpool to get a third and take a big step towards the last 32. Allen does well as he juggles the ball while coming forward before sliding a pass to Firmino. He reaches the byline and pulls a pass back to Benteke, but the Belgian leans back and blazes his effort well over when he really should have done better.

Christian Benteke celebrates after giving Liverpool the lead on the stroke of half time:

© Getty Images

DISALLOWED GOAL! Liverpool have the ball in the back of the net again, but for the second time today it is disallowed. It is Benteke who finishes it again, planting his first-time shot past the keeper from inside the box having been found by Milner's low cross. However, the goal is disallowed for a foul on Sane in the build-up, although that looks like another soft one.

SAVE! Liverpool come forward again and this time it is Allen who threatens, firing a powerful strike goalwards that Carrasso has to beat away.

CHANCE! Another big chance for the hosts! Liverpool work the ball through to Ibe down the right channel, and the youngster only has the keeper to beat. He tries to do that at the near post despite the angle being against him, and Carrasso saves it with his feet.

Rolan wants a penalty for handball against Benteke, but despite some vociferous claims the referee rightly says no. Benteke was far too close to the Bordeaux man when it was flicked on and could do nothing about it.

YELLOW CARD! Lucas becomes the first Liverpool player in the book this evening for a foul on Plasil.

YELLOW CARD! He is swiftly followed into the book by Ibe, who kicked the ball away after being penalised for a nudge in the back of Contento.

Painful one for Moreno as he gets a knee right into the small of his back. He should be able to continue, but he does look like he is in some discomfort right now.

BORDEAUX SUB: A change for the visitors here as Cheick Diabate replaces Crivelli in a straight swap up front.

LIVERPOOL SUB: Liverpool make a change of their own, with Emre Can coming on to replace Allen.

Just 20 minutes remain here and Bordeaux are still very much in this one as long as the deficit remains at just one. Liverpool probably should be home and dry in truth, but they could be forced to endure a nervy end to this match.

Bordeaux are seeing a good amount of the ball right now, keeping possession well and dictating the tempo of the match more than they have at any other point this evening. They aren't doing much with it, though.

SHOT! Liverpool win the ball back and look to break quickly down the left flank. Can brings it forward before cutting a low pass in to Milner, who takes a touch before drilling an effort into the side-netting.

LIVERPOOL SUB: Another change for the home side sees Adam Lallana replace Firmino.

BORDEAUX SUB: The visitors also make a change, with Jussie being replaced by Nicolas Maurice-Belay.

A reminder that as things stand Liverpool will be through to the last 32, while Bordeaux would be out of the Europa League. The visitors have 12 minutes to save their European campaign here.

In truth, Bordeaux don't look like getting one goal, yet alone two to win this game. They haven't offered very little in terms of attacking threats in this second half.

It is all rather flat at Anfield at the moment. These home fans haven't been treated to much excitement this season, and Liverpool could really do with a performance at Anfield like the one they put in at the Etihad.

CHANCE! Chance for Bordeaux to level things up as Contento chips the ball through to Maurice-Belay, who takes it down well and flicks it past Lallana, but then blasts his effort over the top under pressure from Toure.

BORDEAUX SUB: A third and final change for the visitors as Adam Ounas is handed the final five minutes or so.

YELLOW CARD! Benteke is the latest player to go into the referee's book for a late challenge.

YELLOW CARD! Again the referee goes to his pocket, with Contento the man to go into the book this time.

Good chance for Bordeaux late on here as Lovren brings down Rolan in a very dangerous position. The visitors have a free kick set up for a left footer here, with Contento stood over it...

SAVE! Contento dummies it and it is Saivet who goals for goal inside, whipping his effort over the wall and on target. It is a fine strike, but gets across to parry it away.

LIVERPOOL SUB: The hosts make their final change of the evening as Ibe is replaced by Divock Origi.

CHANCE! Bordeaux are getting some chances in these closing stages! This time the ball falls to Contento inside the box, but he lashes his volley well over the top.

We are now into the third of five minutes added time at the end of this match.

Liverpool hold out for the victory that takes them to the top of Group B and sees them book their place in the last 32 with a game to spare. They were forced to come from behind to get the win after Simon Mignolet's error led to Saivet breaking the deadlock for the visitors, with a James Milner penalty and Christian Benteke strike completing the turnaround for the Reds.

That is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's match as Liverpool reach the knockout rounds of the Europa League with a 2-1 victory over Bordeaux. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!