Liverpool backed to qualify from Champions League group

Miracle recoveries in the Champions League have almost been a regular occurance in the Rafael Benitez era and Liverpool are being backed to pull off another great escape this season.

The Reds' fightback from 3-0 down to win the 2005 European Cup final is part of Anfield folklore and two seasons ago they made it through to the knockout stage after picking up just four points from their first four group games.

They now face a similar scenario, although this time they lie five points adrift of Fiorentina instead of the three they made up on Marseille in the 2007/08 campaign.

Liverpool must beat Debrecen away this week and then the Serie A outfit on Merseyside, while also praying Lyon can pick up at least a draw from their Matchday 5 trip to Italy.

Nevertheless, William Hill report the Anfield fans are keeping the faith and have backed their side into 9/2 from 8/1 to still qualify from this pool.

"The extraordinary belief in Liverpool's ability to turn inevitable defeat into victory in the Champions League can be the only reason that we have seen a sustained gamble on what looks to be a remote chance of progress," said Hills spokesman Graham Sharpe.

Blue Square have trimmed the odds on Liverpool advancing to 5/1 after also seeing support, but sportingbet are standing firm with 11/2 for them to stay alive.

At this stage, Betfred are offering a top-priced 66/1 for the Reds to lift the trophy for a sixth time, while they are 25/1 at Sky Bet to be the British team that fares the best.

Ladbrokes go just 4/9 that they are knocked out of Europe's elite club competition this week and 13/8 they stay alive at least until the final round of fixtures.

Punters can also get 5/6 each of two on whethey they do or do not secure a place in next season's tournament after a poor run of results in the Premier League.

"Liverpool's number is likely to be up this week," said spokesman David Williams. "Even if they do survive another round of matches we doubt they'll progress. They're plagued by injuries and our punters have totally lost confidence in them."

Benitez is 25/1 with bet365 not to be manager by the time Liverpool face Everton in the Merseyside derby at the weekend and 11/10 to go before the end of the season.

“Qualification to the knockout stages is now out of Liverpool’s hands and Rafa’s Champions League fate could be sealed after the Debrecen game," said spokesman Steve Freeth.

The Hungarian title holders are 7/4 with the same firm to be the latest side to profit from Liverpool's inability to defend set-pieces and score from a free-kick, corner or throw-in straight into penalty area.

“The weekend game against Man City provided the doubters of Rafa’s zonal marking system with more ammunition and clean sheets are fast becoming a thing of the past for Liverpool,” added Freeth.

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Tags: Champions League,  Champions League Betting,  Debrecen V Liverpool,  Liverpool,  Liverpool Betting,  Liverpool FC,  Rafael Benitez