Liverpool suffer defeat in Russia

Liverpool face an uphill task if they are to progress in the Europa League after losing the first leg of their last 32 tie against Zenit St. Petersburg by two goals to nil.

Similarly to Monday evenings Premier League defeat to West Bromwich Albion, the Reds failed to convert a number of chances, before conceding two goals late on – first to striker Hulk who hit a swerving shot on 70 minutes before Sergei Semak finished at the back post two minutes later.

Despite the disappointment, manager Brendon Rodgers has insisted that the tie is far from over ahead of next week’s return leg at Anfield.

Meanwhile, following speculation that Pepe Reina is a target for Spanish giants Barcelona, Juan Carlos Unzue, who was goalkeeping coach at the Nou Camp until last year, is indeed a potential target to replace outgoing keeper Victor Valdes.

Reina has recently stated that he is keen to see out the remainder of his contract at Liverpool, which isn’t set to expire until 2016.

Elsewhere, the club have, along with a host of other clubs, been linked with a summer bid for Sampdoria striker Mauro Icardi.

However, Inter Milan appear to be the front runners to sign the Argentina Under 20 international, who has scored 9 goals in 19 appearances since signing for the Genoa based club.