Georgi Dermendzhiev's Ludogorets Razgrad are on the brink of Champions League elimination, but they have been wonderfully spirited nonetheless. On Wednesday night they will host a Liverpool side in disarray and needing three points to keep their qualification hopes alive.

"I'm not arrogant enough to think I will be in the job through anything"

- Brendan Rodgers

After a string of bad results and performances, the fortunes of Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers have turned on their head. He now admits that his position - which was cemented in Liverpool's fantastic second-placed finish in the Premier League last season - may be under threat: "I'm not arrogant enough to think I will be in the job through anything. Any manager will tell you they have to win games," Rodgers said. "Ultimately you have to get results... I can only do my best and fight even harder and take responsibility," the Northern Irish manager added. "Any pressure now comes on to me. It's my responsibility as a manager to pick the best team that I think can win the game."

Liverpool have struggled with their form both in Europe and domestically this season, and a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday left Rodgers' side languishing down in 12th place. Collecting just 14 points from 12 games, the absence of Luis Suarez - who transferred to Barcelona over the summer - has been keenly felt, despite Rodgers' best efforts to bring in replacements. Liverpool are also at risk of missing out on the Champions League last 16, as they sit third in Group B, three points behind FC Basel. A win on Wedesday night is a must for the English side.

Dermendzhiev's Ludogorets have been a revelation after being expected to be the Group B whipping boys when they qualified. Instead, they have performed admirably, and became the first Bulgarian team to win a Champions League fixture - in its current form - on week three, with a 1-0 win over Basel. Narrow, hard-fought defeats to Liverpool and Real Madrid where they more than held their own, were followed with a dismal 4-0 defeat to Basel - a result that has left their qualification hopes hanging by a thread.

Despite Ludogorets sitting bottom of Group B with just one victory in their qualification campaign, they will be confident of their chances at home against a struggling Liverpool side. The Bulgarian's home form is tremendous, having won 12 of their last 13 home matches - the one defeat being against Madrid - and Dermendzhiev's side will have their backs up as they prepare to host a wounded Liverpool on Wednesday night.

For the visiors, the foward line is distinctly lacking in fire-power after injuries to Mario Balotelli and Daniel Sturridge. The latter will be out until next year with another injury - his third in a row. Defenders Luis Enrique, Jon Flanagan and Mamadou Sakho are all sidelined leaving Rodgers with limited defensive options, and Jordan Henderson is likely to miss out through illness.

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Ben Johnson
Ben; 21; author and journalist.