Liverpool unchanged for first time in 100 matches

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez sprang a surprise by naming an unchanged side for their Champions League Group C clash at Anfield with the French league runners-up.

After 99 successive matches tinkering with his line-up Benitez opted to retain the team that beat Aston Villa at the weekend.

Bordeaux made five changes from the team that lost 1-0 to Liverpool in south-west France a fortnight ago, with Franck Jurietti out injured along with Lilian Laslandes.

Coach Ricardo Gomes stuck with playmaker Johan Micoud, their most dangerous player in their previous encounter, but former Liverpool midfielder Vladimir Smicer failed to make the squad despite travelling to Merseyside.