Correa celebrates his equaliser at Anfield
Pre-match reports

A NIGHT TO MAKE HISTORY AGAINST A LEGENDARY OPPONENT IN THE RAMÓN SÁNCHEZ-PIZJUÁN

21/11/2017
Two five-time European champions go head-to-head in a decisive fixture in the race for the Champions League knock-out stages. Sevilla FC would guarantee progression with a win

In a season where Sevilla FC has continued to outperform its own sparkling history in both the Champions League and the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, this Tuesday evening marks one of the most important, unprecedented and unforgettable fixtures in the club's 127 years in existence: Sevilla FC vs. Liverpool FC in Nervión. With the five-time Champions League winners having never played in an official match in the red fortress, but - surely - having no other ambition than to go out for victory in the Andalucían capital, the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán looks set for a blockbuster of a fixture which could be determinant in each club's trajectory. With the home side also five-time European champions, and growing ever-confident in Champions League football, only one side will be used to the magic of Nervión on a Champions League night - which could be the deciding factor in a crunch-fixture for Champions League Group E.   

The challenge is to take a big step forward on a big night of European football. Eduardo Berizzo's Sevilla has been growing from strength to strength as of late and will feel that tonight's fixture arrives at the best possible moment to consolidate outstanding home form. Growing both as a team and in individual performances, Sevillistas all over the world will be expecting a performance from its vast stockpile of footballing talent. Klopp's Liverpool, meanwhile, comes into the match in great form and clearly dangerous. The English side boast a game characterised by possession, speed and incisive attacks, but have also shown defensive frailties in domestic competition. The same fixture in Anfield - just three weeks ago - will serve as a good point of reference for Sevillistas. After a weak first-half which saw the visitors at the mercy of the reds, Sevilla FC grew into the game - not only finding an equaliser but also finding chances to take all three points. 

The second half of Anfield's game three weeks ago serves a good example of how Sevilla can unsettle the English giants

At Anfield, after Ben Yedder made it 0-1 but goals from Firmino and Salah put the hosts in front, Muriel was eventually able to put Joaquín Correa through to level the scoreline once again. The cherry on top of a back-and-forth battle could have come at the very end, with Muriel having the opportunity to give Sevilla a famous 2-3 win. The Colombian's effort slid inches wide and Sevilla picked up a hard-earned point. Looking past the dangers of the visiting side - who boast spectacular talent in the form of Salah, Coutinho, Mané, Emre Can - Berizzo's men have the chance to prove their worth and display that famous Sevillista DNA. In such a huge game, the home side will undoubtedly have to come together in a monumental effort; Nervión, undoubtedly the 'Sevillian Anfield', should do the rest.

Liverpool are unbeaten in Champions League Group E, having picked up eight points after two wins against Maribor (3-0 and 0-7) and two draws (2-2 against Sevilla and 1-1 against Spartak Moscow). They've scored 13 and conceded just three but 10 of those 13 came against the Slovenian side. Their biggest goalscoring weapons are Salah (4) and Firmino (3). The Egyptian star looks set to be the visitors biggest threat and Sevilla will have to be conscious of his lethal diagonal runs and pin-sharp eye for goal. Salah is currently the top goalscorer in the Premier League with 9 goals and in all competitions has picked up 14 goals in 18 matches played. Ex-Sevillista Alberto Moreno, playing at left-back, has picked up three assists. 

Salah (4 goals) and Firmino (3) are the reds’ biggest weapons, while Ben Yedder (4 in the Group Phase) scored a hat-trick against Maribor and scored at Anfield

Sevilla FC sit on seven points. Los Nervionenses managed a draw at Anfield and have won at home against Maribor (3-0, after a Ben Yedder hat-trick) and Spartak Moscow (2-1, with goals from Lenglet and Banega). The rout suffered in Moscow means Sevilla's goal difference sits at zero: eight goals for and eight against. With the Russians on five points, Sevilla can guarantee passage to the knock-out stages of the Champions League with victory against Liverpool - with Spartak still needing to travel to Anfield in the final game of the Group Phase. 

Avoiding losing the ball in dangerous areas and winning it back as soon as possible are keys to keeping the reds at bay

In the Premier League, Jurgen Klopp's side has bagged 24 goals but the reds have also conceded 17; a defense with weak spots that Berizzo's side will look to take advantage of. Sevilla will be looking to finish off their chances with more incisiveness and support their play with tight defensive positioning. They'll also have to concentrate on not losing possession and putting pressure on an opponent that has struggled at the back without the ball. With both teams anything but short of talent, the side which gifts nothing to its opponent will have everything to gain. Thankfully, Sevilla come into the game with good memories from English visits. In six, only Manchester City managed to win two years ago.

Sevilla have proven themselves close to unbeatable at home over the past year and if the European dream is to continue, that indescribable Nervión magic will have to work its wonders once again in the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán. Tonight, with a packed house guaranteed, its effect should be plain to see from every corner of the continent.