Sevilla's Four Main Threats For Liverpool To Worry About

Wednesday brings with it a crucial early Champions League fixture, Liverpool against Sevilla at Anfield, a meeting between two sides with ambitions of winning a group in which both are expected to qualify.

They are not unfamiliar opponents – the Europa League final of 2016 the most recent, and one of the most memorable encounters – but Sevilla have experienced a significant overhaul since. Last season’s irrepressibly energetic side, characterised by their intense pressing and led by Jorge Sampaoli, has been toned down by new coach Eduardo Berizzo.

And despite an impressive start in La Liga – two wins and a draw from their opening three games – Sevilla are a side in something of a minor transitional period. There is still an element of rustiness, a feeling that all the pieces have not yet quite come together, a symptom of an influx of new arrivals this summer.

Still, they remain a dangerous opponent for even the best in Europe. Liverpool will be considered favourites at an atmospheric Anfield, but there are significant threats in a Sevilla side with unquestionable quality. Here are four of them.

Sergio Escudero

A left-back with pace and attacking intent, Sergio Escudero could prove an integral part of Sevilla’s forays forward. Given the difficulty Liverpool had when dealing with the direct, decisive wing-back play of Benjamin Mendy in Saturday’s heavy defeat against Manchester City, it’s an area Berizzo will almost certainly, and wisely, be looking to exploit.

Escudero regularly attempts to offer an offensive threat moving forward, overlapping his more advanced teammates, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, if he is left as exposed as he often was against City, could again struggle. With the left-back repeatedly surging down the flanks – and the same on the other side - Sevilla’s wide attacking players will be given license to cut inside and occupy the defenders, particularly if the promising, right-footed Joaquin Correa starts on the left side of midfield.

Jurgen Klopp will certainly be wary of the threat in wide areas. Escudero has emerged as a consistent and reliable full-back over the last year, and one with skill and technical ability to match his pace.

Steven N’Zonzi

Perhaps not a threat in an attacking sense (although he is capable of the occasional long-range stunner), but Steven N’Zonzi’s performance in midfield could be a deciding factor in how Sevilla’s evening pans out. He’s that important.

The towering Frenchman is capable of running games at his best, and he’s been at his best quite often in recent months. Liverpool under Klopp base much of their game on outrunning the opposition, winning battles in midfield through sheer tenacity and an insatiable desire to hunt down the ball, and then instigating a quick transition.

Emre Can and Jordan Henderson have grown skilled at this, but don’t expect N’Zonzi to willingly submit to the dogged harassment he will inevitably receive. Physically, he is more than a match for his counterparts, and his composure on the ball, his ability to endlessly feed teammates with simple but effective passes, makes him an unenviable midfield opponent.

Both off the ball and on the ball, the former Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers man will play a big role at Anfield.

Ever Banega

The creativity of Ever Banega could be crucial if Sevilla are to emerge from Anfield with a result. The Argentine midfielder, who returned to Los Rojiblancos this summer after an inconsistent year at Inter, is well-rested having been suspended for his side’s 3-0 win against Eibar last weekend.

And that could be key. He will be fresh, unlike many on the pitch, perhaps able to find more space as the game reaches its latter stages. Space is Banega’s lifeblood; without it he will be unable to adequately link-up with his attacking teammates, to control the ball in advanced areas and to drive forward into dangerous positions.

An exceptional passer and dribbler with the talent to dictate the tempo of games at his best, Liverpool will no doubt be aware that restricting Banega is imperative.

Joaquin Correa

Joaquin Correa has talent, albeit in a nascent stage. Skilful and with a keen eye for goal, the young Argentine is likely to replace Nolito on the left-hand side of midfield, an area, as previously stated, that Sevilla could target.

Liverpool will be wary of the threat he poses. Correa caught the eye on a number of occasions for Sevilla last season, particularly towards the end of the campaign when given more regular opportunities. He is quick and technically gifted, a combination of traits that should concern a Liverpool defence that still presents more questions than answers.

Having witnessed the damage done by Kevin De Bruyne on Saturday, largely in similar areas to those that Correa takes up, Berizzo will likely be keen to see the 23-year-old on the ball and running at Liverpool’s back four.