Did you know...? LFC v Udinese

Udinese will be the Reds' 117th different opponent in European competition and their eighth from Italy.

Liverpool have met Italian teams nine times at Anfield - winning six and losing three (to Genoa in 1992, Roma in 2001 and Fiorentina in 2009).

The last time the Reds met Italian opposition at Anfield, Steven Gerrard came off the bench to score a 15-minute hat-trick - the first Liverpool player to achieve the feat in Europe.

Two weeks ago at Young Boys, Liverpool scored five goals in an away European tie for the fourth time in their history (Reykjavik, Crusaders and FC Haka being the others).

Andre Wisdom's goal in the Stade de Suisse on matchday one was Liverpool's 200th in this competition in its various guises.

In doing so he also became the club's fourth youngest scorer in Europe at the age of 19 years 134 days. Only Michael Owen, David Fairclough and Anthony Le Tallec were younger.

In their five Europa League games so far this season Liverpool have used 28 players.

The Reds are unbeaten in 13 European games at Anfield since losing to another Italian team, Fiorentina in December 2009.

This is the second season in which Liverpool have played in the group stages of the Europa League. In 2010-11 the Reds topped the group with an Italian team (Napoli) second. They won two and drew four of their six group games.

Liverpool have lost just one of their last 20 games in Europe. They lost 1-0 at Braga in March 2011.

This is the 11th time Liverpool have played in the group stages of a European competition - they have progressed eight times of the previous 10.

Pepe Reina's next game will equal the club record of 80 appearances by a Liverpool goalkeeper in Europe, joining Ray Clemence.

Steven Gerrard is one goal away from equalling Michael Owen's club record of 12 goals in the competition.

The Reds' youngest ever player in Europe is Phil Charnock who was 17 years 215 days when he appeared against Apollon Limassol in September 1992.

Liverpool hold the record for most goalless draws in the Europa League in the group stages and beyond - with five.

Luis Suarez has found the net six times in his last six games. Nuri Sahin's three Liverpool goals have come in his last two games.

The Reds have scored 13 times in their last four games, though in the last 10 matches they have conceded 17.

Liverpool could win a third successive game for the first time in 12 months. In late September - early October 2011 they beat Brighton, Wolves and Everton.

In the last 11 games at Anfield the Reds have kept one clean sheet - against Gomel back in August.

Overall, Udinese have played 67 European games. They have won 31, drawn 14 and lost 22 of those games. In Fairs/UEFA Cup/Europa League competitions they have played 49, won 23, drawn 10 and lost 16.

Udinese have never won a major domestic honour in their history though they did win the Intertoto Cup in 2000.

They are the second oldest club in Italy after Genoa having been founded in 1896. 

This will be their 50th game in this competition.

The only man to manage both Liverpool and Udinese is Roy Hodgson, who was in charge of the Italian club in 2001-02. 

Last season the men from Udine finished third in the Serie A behind Juventus and AC Milan.

They are playing in their fourth Europa League group stage and have progressed on all three previous occasions.

They are in this competition due to their penalty shoot-out defeat in the Champions League play-off at the hands of Sporting Braga.

They have drawn all three European games this season 1-1 with Antonio Di Natale scoring the goal against Anzhi Makhachkala at home on matchday one. The Russians' goal coming courtesy of a Daniele Padelli own goal, a man who played once for the Reds while on loan from Sampdoria in 2007. 

Udinese have met English opponents twice before in Europe. In 2008-09 they defeated Tottenham 2-0 at home in the group stage of the UEFA Cup while last season Arsenal beat them home and away in a Champions League play-off tie.

Last season they reached the last 16 of the Europa League finishing second in their group to eventual winners Atletico Madrid ahead of Celtic and Rennes. They went out beaten 3-2 on aggregate by AZ Alkmaar.

Antonio Di Natale scored six goals in Europe last season and has 13 goals in 28 career European appearances. He is Udinese's all time leading scorer with 138 goals.

Udinese have won one of their nine games so far this season - a 2-1 home win over AC Milan 11 days ago in Serie A.

On the road this campaign they have drawn three and lost one of four games.

Their last away win came on May 13 when they beat Catania 2-0.

They have six points from six league games this season with one win, three draws and two defeats.

They have drawn their last two games 0-0, away at Torino and at home to Genoa last Sunday.

Coach Francesco Guidolin is a former Italy U21 player and celebrated his 57th birthday the day before this game.

Referee Stefan Johannesson of Sweden, has taken charge of Liverpool once before in Europe - they won 3-1 at Unirea Urziceni in the 2nd leg of the round of 32 in this competition in February 2010.

Scorers this season (Europe in brackets):

Liverpool: Suarez 6 (1), Gerrard 3 (1), Sahin 3 (0), Shelvey 2 (2), Borini 1 (1), Coates 1 (1), Downing 1 (1), Johnson 1 (1), Skrtel 1 (0), Wisdom 1 (1), own goals 2 (2).

Udinese: Di Natale 3 (1), Basta 2 (1), Armero 1 (1), Lazzari 1 (0), Maicosuel 1 (0), Ranegie 1 (0).