Good news for Liverpool fans – they’re going back to Istanbul

Liverpool fans will take whatever positives they can get at the moment so being paired with Besiktas in the Europa League at least offers them the chance to reminisce about the good old days with a return to the Turkish capital.

Brendan Rodgers will take his under-performing side to the scene of their 2005 Champions League triumph in the second leg of their last-32 tie.

The last time these sides met Liverpool strolled to an 8-0 win at Anfield in November 2007. Those days seem very far away at the moment.

The tie also sees Liverpool reunited with Demba Ba, who capitalised on Steven Gerrard’s slip last season to ensure that Istanbul in ’05 remains Liverpool’s most recent taste of glory.

Besiktas and Demba Ba in Istanbul. Steven Gerrard's greatest triumph and greatest disaster united in one match.

— Tom Williams (@tomwfootball) December 15, 2014

Celtic also get a chance to stroll down memory lane as they are paired with Inter Milan, who they beat in the final of the 1967 European Cup.

Tottenham play Fiorentina while Everton’s Irish contingent face Young Boys (don’t Google them).