Reds eased to 16-1 to claim Europa glory

By Ian Wilkerson 10:42PM 8 NOV 2012

LIVERPOOL missed the opportunity to take a firm grip on Group A in the Europa League yesterday as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Russian moneybags outfit Anzhi Makhachkala.

A goal from towering striker Lacina Traore right on half-time was enough for the home side to claim three points and they leapfrogged Brendan Rodgers’ side to go top of the section.

Liverpool were the subject of a surprising gamble before kick off that saw Anzhi pushed out to 10-11, but they never looked likely to claim their third success of the competition.

The Reds were eased to 16-1 with Ladbrokes to claim the Europa crown after being 14-1 before the match, while the firm were impressed by the Russians’ efforts and cut them to 12-1 from 14-1.

Newcastle were unable to guarantee their place in the last 32, but it could have been a lot worse for Alan Pardew’s side as they clawed their way back from a two-goal deficit at Bruges to claim a 2-2 draw.
Goals from Vurnon Anita and Shola Ameobi in two minutes just before half-time kept them on top of Group D but they were unable to claim the win that would have seen them through.

They entertain Maritimo in two weeks before travelling to Bordeaux a fortnight later.

Bordeaux put themselves in an excellent position to qualify as they claimed a 1-0 victory over the Portuguese outfit to go one point behind the Magpies.

Tottenham went into their clash with Maribor having drawn all three of their matches, but they claimed a 3-1 success with all the goals coming from England striker Jermain Defoe.

Spurs are 16-1 to claim the trophy and now stand two points ahead of the Slovenian team in second place in Group J.

Lazio are two points clear at the top after a 3-0 win over Panathinaikos and Spurs head to Rome for their next match in two weeks.

Elsewhere, there was a shock in Portugal where holders Atletico Madrid fell to a 2-0 defeat at Academica Coimbra.

RPSPORT’s Dan Childs tipped a 9-2 winner as AIK Solna beat PSV 1-0.

Ladbrokes – Europa League: 7 Atletico Madrid, 11 Inter, 12 Anzhi, 16 Tottenham, Liverpool, Lyon, Lazio, 20 Bayer Leverkusen, Newcastle, 22 Rubin Kazan, 25 Metalist, Napoli, 28 Hannover, 33 Dnipro, Fenerbahce, Bordeaux, 40 bar.