The Official Match Thread: FC Gomel Vs Liverpool.

Redbrynner · Aug 1, 2012

Bluff-The American Dream said: ↑

It's tomorrow right?

Or are you Redbrynner in disguise?
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Happy halloween!!

Chris. · Aug 1, 2012

Here is Fabio Borini on the test FC Gomel will provide and his previous connection with the city in Belarus. Link here.

As Fabio Borini prepares to make his first competitive appearance as a Liverpool player, our new forward has explained why the trip to Gomel holds extra emotional significance for him. The Reds will touch down in Belarus on Wednesday evening ahead of Thursday's Europa League third round qualifier at the Central Stadion.

FC Gomel may be relative unknowns for many, but Borini is well aware of the area having been involved in charity work with youngsters from the region during his childhood. Situated approximately 80 miles from Chernobyl, Gomel was contaminated with radioactive debris following the nuclear power plant disaster in 1986.

"I've got a big connection with Gomel," Borini revealed to Liverpoolfc.com. "When I was younger, my family would take children from a village near Gomel to Italy because when the Chernobyl disaster happened, a lot of nuclear radiation went over the area.

"The children needed to breathe good air and get medical checks to make sure everything was fine. We helped them by taking them for one month a year in the summer so we could do all of these things for them and let them see Italy.

"I actually have a tattoo that is my name written in Russian to remember this. "

Borini has remained in contact with some of the Gomel youngsters he became friends with - and even predicted Liverpool would be drawn against the Belarusian club as he was putting the finishing touches on his move to Anfield.

"Well before the draw was made, I met the teacher of the class before coming to Liverpool and I said, 'Gomel are in the Europa League...we'll probably meet them.' It was a little bit of a casual prediction. I actually got a lot of tickets for a class I used to spend time with in Italy when I was younger, so I will be very happy to see them at the stadium.

"I don't think they've ever been to a stadium for a proper game - and I think they will have an Italian flag with them."

On the field, Borini will be taking nothing for granted - even though Liverpool are heavy favourites to progress into the Europa League proper.

He said: "It will be a tough test because when you don't know opponents it can be a little bit more difficult because you go against unknown players that you've never seen before. You just need to do your job properly and think about yourself. We can't let them play or let the game pass by - we need to make the game."

On a personal level, Borini is hoping to make the most of any chance he may be handed by Brendan Rodgers in the two-legged tie.

The Italy international added: "It means a lot because I've only played in Europe once when I was at Chelsea in the Champions League.

"For this season, to be in the Europa League, to go through this round and the rounds afterwards I think will be good because I will get more experience. It will be great to be seen by the people and try to show what I can do."
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And here is Jordan Henderson on the first leg with FC Gomel. Link here.

Jordan Henderson insists Liverpool will take nothing for granted as they look to get the Brendan Rodgers era off to a winning start in Thursday's Europa League third round qualifier with FC Gomel. The Reds will take on the Belarusian side at the Central Stadion in the manager's first competitive game in charge tomorrow night.

Liverpool are clear favourites to progress into the Europa League group stages - but Henderson insists they won't be found guilty of having took their opponents too lightly come full-time.

The midfielder told a press conference in Gomel: "Nobody will underestimate them. Everybody knows how difficult the game will be, so we've got to approach in the right manner and do what we've got to do.

"We've heard about Gomel and we know they've played four games in this competition and only conceded one goal, so it looks as though they've got a decent defence and one we'll be looking to break down. It will be a tough game, but we've got to do what we do best, stay focused, make sure we approach the game right, work hard and hopefully we can get a good result here."

The clash with Gomel, who currently sit third in the Belarusian top flight, represents the start of the 2012-13 campaign for Liverpool.
The Reds only returned from a two-week tour of North America on Sunday, but Henderson is confident they're ready for the challenge of a competitive clash.

He said: "I think everyone is looking forward to the first game. It was a good flight out, now we're ready to train in the stadium. I don't think the game is too soon. We've all worked on our fitness and I think we'll do that in the game.

"We've all done that over the last week or two in training, so we'll be ready for tomorrow, and fresh and ready to play. Since we came back, training has been very good. We've played a couple of games and played some good football.

"We've really enjoyed the training, so now we've just got to put that into games and hopefully we can put in a few good performances."

A number of local journalists crammed into the press room at the Central Stadion to put their questions to Henderson - and one reporter was keen to know what the No.14 felt was a realistic goal for Liverpool this season.

He replied: "We've got to take each game as it comes. I don't think we've got an overall target at the moment.

"We've got a new manager, so we've just got to focus on each game and win as many of them as we can. Where Liverpool finish at the end of the season will reflect how we'll we've done."
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Chris. · Aug 1, 2012

Here is the manager, Brendan Rodgers, on the advantages of having competitive football return early compared to other teams and his general thoughts on the game itself. Link here.

Brendan Rodgers believes the early start of competitive football for his side in the Europa League can have an advantageous impact heading into the opening of the Barclays Premier League season. The boss leads the Reds back into Europe in Belarus on Thursday for the first leg of the third qualifying round clash with FC Gomel, and he insists it is a great step-up in fitness for his players.

"We are still finding our fitness and our match fitness, but of course I think playing these games helps us and will give us that edge going into the beginning of this season," Rodgers told Liverpoolfc.com.

"Players at this level are competitive so they love the competition. Even though we are still gaining fitness it's a competitive game and it's a tournament we would like to do well in. It's a bit of a hike and we've got to get on our travels again, but that's life and you've just got to get on with it. We are looking forward to the game and hopefully it will serve us well for the beginning of the season."

In terms of his priorities for Liverpool this season, Rodgers insists the Premier League remains the No.1 focus.

He added: "I don't want to disrespect the competition (Europa League) but there's no doubt the league is our priority and we want to finish as high as we possibly can.

"The Europa League is a competition we'd like to do well in. Obviously to do well in it you've got to play a lot of games and hopefully that will be the case, as when you play for Liverpool every tournament and every game is a priority. I never look too further than the next game and that is Belarus on Thursday and we are looking forward to it."

Besides the clash with FC Gomel being Rodgers' first competitive game in charge of the Reds, it also marks his first outing as a manager in Europe.

He said: "It's great because it takes me into Europe as a manager for the first time. I've obviously coached younger teams all across the world and the reality is the tactics don't really change so much - the difference being there are pressures on the game because it's at senior level, but it's great for me because every manager needs a start.

"In my early years as manager so far I've loved every minute and now this is the next challenge to go into Europe, and to lead a team like Liverpool is fantastic."

The challenge of facing FC Gomel represents something of a trip into the unknown but Rodgers and his backroom staff are well prepared on what to expect in Belarus.

He added: "We have done our homework on them. They have done well to qualify for this stage, the pitch looks nice, they play a 4-2-3-1 system but for us it's always what we do ourselves and that is always my focus.

"I always respect the opponent we play and never underestimate them but I'm a big believer in focusing on our own game and maximising how we play the game. If we do that then I believe throughout the course of the season we'll have a chance of winning every game."

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The artist JerryChristmas · Aug 1, 2012

How mad is that about Borini's connection with the area...could be a good omen for the lad

Chris. · Aug 1, 2012

And here are the first batch of pictures from training!

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Master Yoda · Aug 1, 2012

the artist known as Billy El Pistolero said: ↑

How mad is that about Borini's connection with the area...could be a good omen for the lad
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Small world isn't it.

Chris. · Aug 1, 2012

And here are the second batch of pictures from training!

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Page_Moss_Kopite · Aug 1, 2012

Gomel sounds like a lovely place.

Into the unknown

Gomel is the second largest city in Belarus

Because of problems with the availability of rooms, the Liverpool squad will be divided into two hotels

The government in Belarus says fans cannot take pictures of government buildings and uniformed officials

The runway at Gomel airport is so short that Liverpool had to charter a smaller plane, meaning a number of club staff have not been able to travel

Master Yoda · Aug 1, 2012

I did a presentation about Belarus for a politics class last year.

It's the last pseudo-Communist Balkan state, led by a man called Lukashenko.

It's one of the worst countries worldwide for free speech, election rigging, police brutality and so on.

Not a nice place whatsoever.

timmy5x · Aug 2, 2012

Good to see Adam getting stuck in to borini! Lol

BCR · Aug 2, 2012

No agger? Uh oh....

Zingy · Aug 2, 2012

Bluff-The American Dream said: ↑

No agger? Uh oh....
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Go to bed.

luvgonzo · Aug 2, 2012

Doesn't look like it's on any TV channels, will look out for a link but can't see there being one.

SJD · Aug 2, 2012

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/special-offer-for-lfc-fans
Its on this Luv pay to view though

jaffaSlot · Aug 2, 2012

Just so its out there, it will be on here later:

http://www.thefirstrow.eu/

moreinjuredthanowen · Aug 2, 2012

its on setanta sports according to some. this means there'll be a good stream and i'll be using firstrow i think.

this is a real get in and get out quick type of deal. i'd say we just took enough to get by as well though all the specualtion about anyone not going is interesting.

If i'd an injured player i'd not take them here either but peopel have a valid point on cup tieing players too. the second leg will be interesting for sure.

I predict 1-0 to us.

Bindiana · Aug 2, 2012

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19010887

Accrording to The BBC we are playing in a Champions League Qualifier

Master Yoda · Aug 2, 2012

Bindiana said: ↑

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19010887

Accrording to The BBC we are playing in a Champions League Qualifier
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No one tell UEFA, we can sneak in!

moreinjuredthanowen · Aug 2, 2012

well done the beeb keeping up the standards... no doubt we'll be in group B of the CL proper when the time comes just like they continued the west ham story in the face of laughter and denials.

BCR · Aug 2, 2012

It is on FSC here so if you go to firstrowsports then you should get that stream. 2:00PM can't come quick enough.

The Official Match Thread: FC Gomel Vs Liverpool.

What will be the result of Thursday's game between FC Gomel & Liverpool?

FC Gomel Victory.

Draw.

Liverpool Victory.

Redbrynner Well-Known Member

Chris. #bringbackchris

Chris. #bringbackchris

The artist JerryChristmas "Massive old member"

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The Official Match Thread: FC Gomel Vs Liverpool.

What will be the result of Thursday's game between FC Gomel & Liverpool?

FC Gomel Victory.

Draw.

Liverpool Victory.

Redbrynner Well-Known Member

Chris. #bringbackchris

Chris. #bringbackchris

The artist JerryChristmas "Massive old member"

Chris. #bringbackchris

Master Yoda Well-Known Member

Chris. #bringbackchris

Page_Moss_Kopite Well-Known Member

Master Yoda Well-Known Member

timmy5x Member

BCR Well-Known Member

Zingy #ziggywould

luvgonzo Pisshead

SJD Well-Known Member

jaffaSlot Well-Known Member

moreinjuredthanowen Mr Brightside

Bindiana Well-Known Member

Master Yoda Well-Known Member

moreinjuredthanowen Mr Brightside

BCR Well-Known Member

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