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PLAY BALOTELLI WITH STURRIDGE AGAINST BESIKTAS

The Premier League may be Liverpool’s bread and butter, but there’s no way they should be taking the Europa League lightly this week.

I know the Reds have a massive game at Southampton on Sunday – one that could be crucial in their battle for a top-four finish – but they have to treat Thursday’s game against Besiktas with the utmost respect.

The prize for winning the Europa League, of course, is a place in the Champions League, which I think will see teams treating it very seriously from here on in. It is not going to be an easy competition to win, but Liverpool have a chance. They’re among the favourites for a reason.

Besiktas is about as tough a draw as you can get, I reckon. So any thoughts of playing a ‘weakened’ team should not be entertained. Winning is a habit that Liverpool have picked up of late, and they won’t want to lose it.

Me? I’d attack them by playing Mario Balotelli alongside Daniel Sturridge in attack. I think this game, a home game against a team that will be wary of Anfield, is the perfect opportunity to see if that partnership can develop.

We saw against Spurs, and in the second half against Crystal Palace last weekend, that there are signs of a relationship there. Sturridge was a lot better once Balotelli was on the pitch, scoring a brilliant goal, and the Italian has had a positive impact in his last two games off the bench. Let’s see what he can do from the start against the Turks.

Obviously, that would mean a reconfiguration of the team elsewhere. It is unclear yet whether Raheem Sterling will be fit to play against Besiktas or even Southampton, and the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana have made big contributions of late.

Then there’s Jordon Ibe, cup-tied at the weekend, who will be looking to get a place. Lazar Markovic went off at the weekend after a low-key first half, but he’s been playing well too.

Options for Brendan Rodgers, which is exactly what he needs at this stage of the season. The midfield looks a little bit light with the injuries to Steve Gerrard and Lucas Leiva, but elsewhere he has choices to make, and a lot of players who are starting to show good form.

As I say, Besiktas won’t be an easy game by any means, and there is a lot of onus on the home leg in this tie. My thinking is that Liverpool should go on the front foot from the start, and that means two up front.

Let’s see if Mario and Daniel can be a great double act.

PALACE DEMONS LAID TO REST

I was massively impressed with the performance at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

When you get places like Selhurst Park, which are considered a bogey ground, it does add pressure to every game you play there. You’re aware of the history and the bad memories, and it can affect your performance.

Liverpool, though, did a great job at the weekend. They did what Palace have done to us, came from behind, and I thought in the end it was a relatively comfortable win. We had to withstand a few set pieces and crosses, but in the main we defended well and controlled the game.

That’ll mean a lot to those players. They’ll have known what people will have been saying about Selhurst Park trips, so to get those demons laid to rest is important.

Next time we go there, nobody will be talking about the past.

TIME FOR GRASS ROOTS TO GET ITS SHARE

I was told this week that should Bournemouth win promotion to the Premier League this season, it will make them a richer club than Benfica.

Incredible. The money in English football is absurd, and I think it is time for the Premier League, its clubs, and the Government to make sure the grass roots game gets its share of the pie.

I watch Sunday league football regularly because of my grandson, and it is hard to see the pitches and the facilities that kids are being forced to use.

I fully support the ‘Save Grass Roots’ campaign, and I would urge both Liverpool and Everton to do the same. What would it cost them to pay pitch fees or buy brand new kits for teams, or to ensure that there are hot showers in facilities? Very little, and yet the benefits would be felt across the region.

SORT YOUR STUDS...OR PAY YOUR FINE

It’s becoming a pet hate of mine. A game starts, a player spends the first 20 minutes slipping and sliding around, and then they spend a minute or two on the sidelines changing their boots.

Daniel Sturridge did it at Palace, and both Lazar Markovic and Adam Lallana slipped on their backsides in the first half.

Preparation is everything at this level. Players warm up on the pitch for a reason, to get used to the surface. If after 20 minutes they need to come and change their boots because they’ve chosen the wrong ones in the first place, then that is bad preparation.

And let’s face it, if any club knows how damaging a slip can be, it is us.

I’d fine them, me, that’s how much it annoys me!

MIGNOLET DESERVES CREDIT

He had some dark days earlier in the season, but Simon Mignolet has been a shining light in the last month.

In fact, I think he’s been Liverpool’s best, most consistent player since the turn of the year.

He was excellent against Palace, and deserves huge credit for turning around his season so spectacularly.

I’ve always been a fan of his, even when he was struggling. And it’s great to see him back to his best.

In addition, I thought Joe Allen had a very good second half at Selhurst Park. He’s another who has had criticism, but that was the kind of performance Liverpool need from him.