The Reds failed to make the most out of their return to Champions League football and will now have to settle for Europe's second tier competition for the remainder of the season. However Brendan Rodgers' men have been on a fine run lately having lost just once in their last 16 matches in all competitions.
They were against Crystal Palace last time out in a match they went down in the first half, but responded well through goals from Sturridge and Lallana to earn themselves a place in the next round of the FA Cup. The Reds have been gradually climbing up in the league table and their recent form has enhanced their chances of securing a Champions League spot.
However with the rules now allowing Europa League winners from this season onwards to have a chance to participate in the Champions League, Liverpool will be hoping that winning the title can pave a path for them to return to Europe's top competition.
However qualification to the next round will be not as straight forward as Liverpool face a daunting task ahead in the form of Turkish side Besiktas. The match against them will not bring back fond memories, with Senegal international Demba Ba set to lead the line for Besiktas. Last time he was at Anfield, Ba capitalized on Steven Gerrard's slip to effectively end Liverpool's title chase.
He now returns to the Anfield but Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has played down the importance of his return.
"It won't stimulate any bad memories for me," Rodgers said.
"Besiktas have good players, a front four with Demba Ba at the top of it. It's a team that is used to winning and have made it hard for English sides but we want to do everything we can to win a trophy. It's a very prestigious competition and this is a tough game with Besiktas. We want to take a lead away [to the second leg]."
Rodgers instead reserved praise for his star striker Daniel Sturridge, who according to the Liverpool manager has been inspirational since his return.
"He hasn't just been recovering in terms of his injuries, he's been analysing his game.
"What's been brilliant for me is he's come back and taken on a real leadership role as well. He's come back and you can see him at corners organising and making sure people are doing their job, as well as the wonderful ability that he has."
Captain Steven Gerrard will be on the sidelines for Thursday's game after picking up a hamstring injury, Raheem Sterling is also a doubt for the match. Lazar Markovic on the other hand will serve his first of a four match ban after being sent off in the game against Basel.
Liverpool vs Besiktas team sheets
Liverpool's lineup: Mignolet, Can, Skrtel, Sakho, Allen, Henderson, Moreno, Ibe, Coutinho, Lallana, Sturridge.
Besiktas' lineup: Cenk, Serdar, Ersan, Franco, Motta, Olcay, Veli, Hutchinson, Gokhan, Sosa, Demba Ba.
Liverpool's subs: Lovren, Lambert, Manquillo, Borini, Balotelli, Sterling, Ward.
Besiktas's subs: Yedekler, Enes, Mustafa, Oguzhan, Tolgay, Necip, Kerim, Opare.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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