Skrtel preparing for Russian return
Reds defender Martin Skrtel will return to the home of his former club on Thursday. For all of the details and all the stats you could possibly require, read Ged Rea's pre-match guide to Zenit v Liverpool.
Skrtel played 74 league games for Zenit, scoring three goals and helping them to the league title, prior to his move to Anfield in January 2008.
Zenit will be Liverpool's 119th different opponent in European competition and the sixth team this season the Reds will have faced for the first time.
In their previous five visits to Russia, the Reds have won two and lost three - the two victories coming at Vladikavkaz in the UEFA Cup (2-1) in 1995 and at Spartak Moscow in the Champions League in 2002 when they secured a 3-1 win.
The Reds have won four and lost one of their last five away Europa League fixtures.
They have lost just two of their last 12 away games in Europe - at Braga in March 2011 and to Anzhi Makhachkala this season.
Steven Gerrard is one goal away from equalling Michael Owen's club record of 12 goals in the competition. His next goal will be his 40th for the club in Europe.
Jonjo Shelvey has four Europa League goals this season - only Edinson Cavani of Napoli (seven) and Young Boys' Raul Bobadilla (five) have scored more.
Pepe Reina is one clean sheet away from equalling Ray Clemence's club record of 39 in Europe in a Reds career.
Jamie Carragher could make his 149th European appearance for the club in this game.
Stewart Downing has featured in all 10 matches in Europe this season - the only Reds player to do so.
The only Liverpool player to score a hat-trick away from home in Europe is Michael Owen, who achieved the feat twice - the last time being in Russia when he scored all three goals in the Champions League win at Spartak Moscow.
Zenit St Petersburg were founded in 1925 - originally for workers from a local metal plant.
The Russian side have faced English opposition five times in their European history. In 2000, they beat Bradford City 4-0 on aggregate in the semi-final of the Intertoto Cup.
Zenit have lost only one of their last 19 European home games - going down 3-2 to AC Milan this season.
They have failed to score in only two of their last 18 games in league and cup.
Zenit have kept only one clean sheet in their last nine games in all competitions - at AC Milan in a 1-0 Champions League win.
They have not lost in nine UEFA Cup and Europa League home games since losing 1-0 to Bayer Leverkusen in 2007-08.
In 2008, they won both the UEFA Cup and Super Cup under Dick Advocaat. They beat Rangers 2-0 in the UEFA Cup final at the City of Manchester Stadium then beat Manchester United 2-1 to lift the Super Cup in Monaco.
Their last competitive game saw them draw 1-1 at home to Anzhi on December 10.
Aleksandr Kerzhakov is the club's record scorer with 147 goals. He is also their record scorer in Europe with 20 goals. Danny has scored in each of Zenit's last two European games.