Sparta Prague vs Liverpool Half-Time Update

Kenny Dalglish’s first European game in charge as Reds manager is not going entirely his way, as Liverpool and  Sparta Prague are deadlocked at 0-0.

Prague had the opening effort of the game after 13 minutes; a shot far on the right-hand side of the penalty box was fired high and wide from Andrej Keric.

The home side had a better attempt five minutes later; a tricky ball inside wing-back Glen Johnson by Martin Abena was met by a fierce left-foot try from Manuel Pamic that stung the palms of Pepe Reina as he pushed the ball away from danger.

Pamic had another effort after 34 minutes; Reina could only slap away a cross from Prague’s right-hand side – Pamic’s shot on his weaker foot was not a worry for the Liverpool keeper.

Joe Cole came on with ten minutes remaining of the first 45, as Fabio Aurélio could not continue.

Promising 18-year-old striker Václav Kadlec has seen little chances fall his way so far, but remains a threat in the Prague attack in front of the home crowd.

The team news beforehand included the news that Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles passed a fitness test prior to kick-off, after coming off unwell against Wigan at the weekend.

The hype behind the possible debut of Raheem Sterling died down when the team news was announced, as the youngster does not feature in the squad at all. Acedemy player Connor Coady is, however named amongst the bench, alongside first team regulars such as Martin Skrtel and Martin Kelly.

Defenders Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Danny Wilson join forward David N’gog in the Reds' line-up, part of three changes from Saturday’s 1-1 draw.

Sparta Prague: Blažek, Řepka, Pamić, Matějovský, Kweuke, Kušnír, Kadlec, Brabec, Vacek, Abena Biholong, Keric

Substitutes: Zítka, Podaný, Sionko, Bondoa, Zeman, Hušek, Pekhart

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Carragher, Aurélio (Cole 36), Meireles, Wilson, Lucas, Maxi, Kuyt, Ngog

Substitutes: Gulacsi, Pacheco, Jovanovic, Kelly, Coady, Skrtel