Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp will take charge of his first home game when Liverpool host Rubin Kazan in the Europa League on Thursday Getty

Liverpool will take on Rubin Kazan in the Europa League on Thursday 22 October, in what will be Jurgen Klopp's first match at home since taking over the reins earlier in the month.

Where to watch live

Kick-off is set for 8.05pm BST. Live coverage of the match will be available on BT Sport 2 and BT Sport 2 HD.

Overview

It will be a special occasion at Anfield when the team walks out to face Rubin Kazan on Thursday evening, it will be the first home game for new manager Jurgen Klopp, who took over from Brendan Rodgers earlier in the month. The mood has been upbeat at the club since his arrival, and the German manager will be keen to get off to a winning start in front of the Anfield faithful.

The 48-year-old manager has won the Bundesliga twice with former club Borussia Dortmund, and had his first taste of Premier League action against Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Saturday (17 October). However, despite his team not getting on the score sheet, the change in style of play was there for everyone to see. The team adapted his famed high pressing style, which saw them cover the most distance by any Premier League team in a single game this season.

The Reds have been poor in Europe this season and managed to draw their opening two games. Now, Klopp will be keen to change the situation, when the Russians visit on Thursday. The manager has had a bad week on the injury front, with Danny Ings and Joe Gomez being ruled out for the season with anterior cruciate ligament damage, while center forwards Daniel Sturridge and Christian Benteke have just returned to training following injuries and are unlikely to be risked from the start against Rubin Kazan.

Meanwhile, the Russian club are having an awful season in their domestic league and will hope to build the momentum with a win over the Merseyside club. Despite languishing on 12<sup>th place with just 10 points, they have handed second placed side Lokomotiv Moscow, their only defeat this season making them a dangerous proposition on a given day.

What managers say

Jurgen Klopp [on first game at Anfield]: "I cannot say so much about atmosphere at Anfield, but that's what we talk about," said Klopp. "I hope the owners being here will make it more special. I've heard so much about Anfield, we are waiting for this special atmosphere. We are absolutely clear and know about our job we have to do for the special atmosphere"

Betting odds (bwin)

  • Liverpool to win: 1/2
  • Draw: 3
  • Rubin Kazan to win: 11/2

Team news

Liverpool

Possible XI: Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno; Can, Allen, Milner; Ibe, Lallana, Origi.

Rubin Kazan

Possible XI: Ryzhikov; Kuzmin, Kverkvelia, Kambolov, Nabiullin; Ozdoev, Kislyak; Karadeniz, Eduardo, Kanunnikov; Portnyagin.