Gerrard can inspire Liverpool, but it could be in vain.
REDS TO GO OUT WITH A BANG
By Ben Linfoot
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It's a huge night in the Champions League for Liverpool who travel to Debrecen knowing their efforts could be in vain should Fiorentina beat Lyon in Florence.
Just three goals scored in four games is the root of Liverpool's problems, an output which has returned just one win and four points as they limp towards the Europa League.
But with their backs against the wall they should be trusted to go out with a bang, even without the firepower of Fernando Torres who doesn't travel to Hungary because of injury.
When it's become desperate in Europe before, Liverpool have responded with goals. Think back to the 8-0 win over Besiktas and the 4-0 victory at Marseille.
And goals have hardly been scarce at the Ferenc Puskás Stadium in Budapest in this year's Champions League. Lyon went there and won 4-0, while Fiorentina registered a 4-3 victory.
The Italians also beat Debrecen 5-2 in Tuscany so it really wouldn't surprise to see another bounty of goalmouth action when Liverpool roll into town on Tuesday night.
It was only 1-0 to the Reds when the teams met at Anfield, but given Liverpool's situation they will be on the offensive from the outset and that could mean goals at both ends.
For all Liverpool's problems, scoring goals hasn't been one of them despite the absence of Torres and Steven Gerrard.
They have scored in all of their last seven fixtures, with 10 goals in total, despite only winning one of those matches.
The problem is clearly the 12 goals conceded in that same period, with their total inability to deal with set-piece situations becoming increasingly alarming.
Against almost anyone else in the Champions League it would take a leap of faith to side with Liverpool given their current form (one win in 10), but Debrecen, without a win in the group stages after conceding 14 goals in four games, are there for the taking.
They do pose a threat, though, so it could be worth chancing a couple of correct score wins in Liverpool's favour involving goals for the home side.
We'll add 4-1 (20/1) and 4-2 (66/1) Liverpool to the staking plan as well as the more sensible over 4.5 goals in the match at 4/1 with Boylesports.
A win for Liverpool and a draw or win for Lyon would give Rafael Benitez's team a chance of qualifying for the last 16 and their hopes are boosted by the Fiorentina team news.
Adrian Mutu and Stevan Jovetic are both out so much of the responsibility rests on Alberto Gilardino's shoulders and he can be the man to shine for the Viola.
Marco Marchionni has chipped in with four goals this season, but without Mutu and Jotevic, Gilardino is undoubtedly their main goal threat.
He is Fiorentina's top scorer with seven this season, including two in the Champions League and he looks a shade big at 5/1 to score the opener.
I'm always wary of trusting a team that doesn't need to win and Lyon, who have already qualified thanks to their 10 points,are hardly flying following their 1-1 draw at Ligue 1's bottom side Grenoble at the weekend.
They didn't look like scoring until some dreadful defending from Liverpool in their last Champions League game, and with qualification assured Fiorentina could have a fairly easy time of things on Tuesday.
With 11 goals to their name in Group E already, the Italians are a decent bet to strike first and Gilardino can step up to the plate in the absence of their other two high-profile strikers.
Fiorentina have drifted to odds-against since the team news was announced and at 11/10 with Coral they are also worth siding with so excellent have their home performances been in Europe.
They beat Debrecen 5-2 and Liverpool 2-0, so 11/10 against a team that doesn't need to win is too big for me to resist.
In Group H, Arsenal will qualify if they avoid defeat and that shouldn't be a problem against Standard Liege despite the continued absence of Robin Van Persie.
They missed him against Sunderland, but back at the Emirates against moderate opposition the Gunners should create enough chances to register another decisive win.
Without their star striker, whether they will be decisive enough to turn a routine win into another romp is debatable.
Standard Liege are right in the qualification picture if they win, and that's in Arsenal's favour as space will open up should the Belgians adopt an offensive approach.
I couldn't get involved with odds-on quotes about Eduardo scoring anytime, but it's somewhat surprising to see Cesc Fabregas available at 7/4 to score in the game.
European nights bring out the best in the Spaniard and he's Arsenal's top scorer in the Champions League with three goals this campaign.
He's a real confidence player in front of goal and tends to score in gluts, so with four goals in his last four games I definitely want to be with him at the moment.
Considering that, the 9/1 Sky Bet and William Hill offer about him scoring a brace or more is worth a poke too, given this could open up if Standard Liege go for it.
Finally, Rangers take on Stuttgart in a game that makes little appeal from a neutral point of view.
Neither team has won in the Champions League this season, while both have averaged just one goal a game each.
The pair drew 1-1 in Germany, so the same scoreline in Scotland would keep the averages going and Paddy Power make that correct score their 9/2 favourite!
It's 11/2 in most places but no goalscorer at 9/1 makes more appeal.
However, with qualification still very much a possibility for either team something will surely give somewhere along the line so we'll leave this game alone.
Preview posted at 2130GMT on 23/11/2009
