Prediction: Liverpool vs Toulouse

Verdict: Liverpool half-time/full-time

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Looking to extend on their Europa League romp in midweek, Liverpool will welcome Toulouse to Anfield on Thursday night.

Liverpool

Starting with the hosts, while Liverpool might have been left hugely frustrated last season as they missed out on the chance to book a top-four finish, the Premier League giants have come roaring back this time around. Marking their return from October’s international break with a 2-0 victory against bitter local rivals Everton, Jurgen Klopp’s men should find the mood in their camp at a real high. With some around Anfield starting to believe that their side could mount a genuine title charge this season, the former Borussia Dortmund boss will be calling on his squad to lay down another marker here. Opening their Europa League adventure with back-to-back victories against Royale Union and LASK respectively, Liverpool will also be excited by their continued success on home soil. It should be highlighted, the Reds have won each of their opening six showdowns at Anfield across all competitions by an aggregate score of 16-3.

Team News

While Curtis Jones might be serving a domestic suspension after being shown a straight red card against Tottenham last month, the England U21 star is free to feature on Thursday night. However, Klopp’s side will be unable to call upon the trio of Andrew Robertson, Cody Gakpo and Thiago.

Bagging a brace against Everton over the weekend, attacking talisman Mohamed Salah will be hoping to notch his second Europa League strike of the season here. Uruguayan international Darwin Nunez should be handed a full recall at Anfield in midweek.

Toulouse

As for the visitors, while Toulouse might have mustered four points from their opening two Europa League appearances this season, Les Violets will be more than aware that they face a monumental challenge when they arrive at Anfield on Thursday night. Marking their return from October’s international break last weekend and forced to settle for a 1-1 stalemate at home against Reims, Carles Martinez Novell is desperate for his side to find some much-needed stability. Signing off September with a 2-1 loss at the hands of Lens, Toulouse have won just a pair of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to August 13th. Rightfully tipped as a landslide underdog here, Novell’s side have gained a reputation for their extended issues on the road. In fact, continuing on from last season, Thursday’s guests have won just a pair of their last nine showdowns away from the Stadium de Toulouse.

Team News

Still dealing with a recent knock and not making an appearance since back on September 21st, Novell’s side are expected to once again be without ex-PSV starlet Zakaria Aboukhlal. Likewise, Toulouse will also travel to Anfield without the duo of Ibrahim Cissoko and Oliver Zanden.

Although 27-year-old Stjin Spierings might have served a domestic suspension over the weekend, the former Lens midfielder is free to make his return here. Bagging his third goal of the season against Reims last weekend, former Excelsior youngster Thijs Dallinga should spearhead Toulouse’s charge on Thursday.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back in 2007, Liverpool picked up a 5-0 aggregate victory while on Champions League qualifying duties.
• The Reds have won each of their opening six showdowns at Anfield across all competitions by an aggregate score of 16-3.
• Toulouse have won just a pair of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to August 13th.
• Likewise, Thursday’s guests have won just a pair of their previous nine showdowns on the road.
• Mohamed Salah has scored a brace in back-to-back Premier League appearances.

Conclusion

Opening their Europa League adventure with back-to-back victories and laying down an early statement of intent, Liverpool will certainly be smelling another golden chance here. Gaining a fearsome reputation for their success at Anfield and winning each of their first six showdowns on Merseyside by an aggregate score of 16-3, Klopp’s side are rightfully tipped as a landslide contender on Thursday night. Looking to make it three Group E victories on the spin in midweek, it is hard to see anything other than a routine home victory for the Premier League giants.

Verdict: Liverpool half-time/full-time

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Dachbet