Thursday, 14th February, 2013
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes that this evening’s Europa League Round of 32 first leg clash against Zenit St. Petersburg will not be decisive in the tie.
The Reds have travelled to Russia to face Luciano Spalletti’s men in their own backyard in what is now a key competition for the English side given that it is the only silverware they can still win this season.
While Liverpool will certainly be aiming for a good result, Rodgers feels that the return at Anfield will be the deciding factor.
Asked about what score he would be happy with, Rodgers told his pre-match press conference that "more important will be the second leg, when everything will be decided."
Rodgers was also pressed on whether Liverpool have the strength in depth in their squad to fight for a top four spot in the Premier League and mount a Europa League challenge.
And he insists that the Reds are taking the Europa League very seriously.
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"A competition is a competition.
"We’re going to try to win.
"Zenit are a very strong team and we’ll see what happens."
Zenit currently sit third in the Russian Premier League table, while Liverpool are ninth in the English Premier League.
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