Richard Beveridge:, external Anyone who wants Rodgers out is plain ridiculous. The players rate him but aren't playing as well as last season.

BBC Radio 5 live

We have full BBC Radio 5 live commentary on the game, with build-up presented by Mark Pougatch under way from 19:00 GMT. You can also listen via the Live Coverage tab towards the top of this page.

Image source, AP

While he was at it, Bruce Grobbelaar also had a pop at current Liverpool number one Simon Mignolet.

"I've likened Mignolet to worse than Dracula because at least Dracula comes out of his coffin now and then," he says. "He seems to stay on his line and that's it. That whole area, not just the six-yard area, is the goalkeeper's."

Harsh or fair, Liverpool fans? As always, send your thoughts over to us via #bbcfootball, external

Former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar is in no doubt who is to blame for the Reds' recent slump.

"If he doesn't do anything in another three weeks, I think the Americans [owners Fenway Sports Group] could do something about it," Grobbelaar said.

"I have always backed Brendan Rodgers but quite frankly, lately, I am starting to slip away."

Watch the full interview with Grobbelaar.

So then Liverpool fans, what's going on at the Reds and who is to blame? Is Brendan Rodgers still the right man long term? Is this a season of transition?

Fire across your thoughts on all things Liverpool to #bbcfootball,, external text on 81111 or post a message on the BBC Sport Facebook, external and Google+ pages., external

Liverpool Echo reporter James Pearce on Twitter:, external "In place for Ludogorets v #LFC . Massive night ahead for the Reds."

Image source, James Pearce

Image source, Liverpool FC

Liverpool:, external It's currently all quiet at the Vasil Levski stadium in Sofia ahead of kick off later this evening...

Lots of Champions League action tonight and plenty to keep the old permutations calculator busy. One is already under way, with Zenit winning 1-0 against Benfica with less than 10 minutes to go. Portugal midfielder Danny's strike moves the Russians into second place, ahead of Monaco's trip to Bayer Leverkusen.

Regular updates on the other games will be dotted throughout this very page, but if you fancy a more in depth coverage of Arsenal's game against Borussia Dortmund then there is a special treat for you, with my colleague Emlyn Begley keeping an eye on all things Gunners-related.

If Liverpool win: They will move on to six points and a win by any margin against Basel in their final group game would secure progression to the last 16, provided Basel fail to beat Real Madrid tonight. If Basel beat Real, Liverpool would have to beat the Swiss side by at least two clear goals, or single-goal win of 2-1 or more, to progress.

If Liverpool draw: They could exit the Champions League tonight with a draw and if Basel beat Real Madrid. The Reds will live to fight another day if they draw and Basel lose or draw.

If Liverpool lose: Defeat tonight means they would need to hope Real beat Basel to avoid elimination. Brendan Rodgers's side would then have to defeat the Swiss side and hope Ludogrets lose to Real, leaving three teams on six points, and then it comes down to points gained between the three sides. In this situation, all three teams would be level on six points in the head-to-head table, meaning it would go down to goal difference in the matches between the teams.

Basically, if Liverpool can just win tonight that would be grand. Ta.

Image source, Getty Images

Permutations. Few words strike more fear into the hearts of journalists than the word permutations.

With head-to-head mini-leagues and goal difference potentially playing its part, yesterday had people (mainly me) scratching their heads over what Manchester City's last-minute win against Bayern Munich meant with regards to the permutations that would see them progress.

Tonight is no different, so here is my best attempt to decipher what exactly Liverpool need.

Deep breath, here it comes...

Image source, Getty Images

The somewhat dilapidated Vasil Levski National Stadium is hardly the most glamorous of locations to play host to what could be a season-defining game for Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers.

The Reds boss has long been a believer in style over substance, but perhaps as a sign of the growing pressure on him to ignite Liverpool's season, he has indicated his willingness to abandon his football philosophy in this instance in favour of a victory that would keep Champions League progression in his side's hands.

"We would take a scrappy win," he said. "Listen, you can't play perfect football. It is going to be tough here. We want to get a result."

Veteran Reds skipper Steven Gerrard starts his second match in four days after boss Brendan Rodgers decides not to rest the 34-year-old. England midfielder Jordan Henderson returns after illness, while Brazil midfielder Lucas and Ivory Coast defender Kolo Toure also start.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Manquillo, Skrtel, Toure, Johnson, Lucas, Gerrard, Allen, Henderson, Sterling, Lambert. Subs: Jones, Lovren, Moreno, Coutinho, Can, Borini, Lallana.

Brendan Rodgers has little doubt over the importance of this game.

"Sometimes it just takes a game, an action, to change a season for you," he says. "We have to believe that can happen. We haven't been anywhere near our levels. But you can never give up."

Could this prove to be the game that Rodgers, and Liverpool fans, look back on as a pivotal moment?

Image source, Getty Images

It is amazing to think that Liverpool went into the final day of last season with a mathematical chance of securing the Premier League title but now, in November, they are effectively out of the running.

The Reds trail leaders Chelsea by 18 points and are closer to the relegation zone than they are the top of the table. With domestic ambitions faltering, progress in Europe is becoming increasingly important.

It would have been unthinkable at the start of the season, but tonight's game in Bulgaria against Ludogrets could well be the most important fixture of Brendan Rodgers's Liverpool career.

Image source, Getty Images

In May this year, Brendan Rodgers climbed on to a stage to rapturous applause from his peers as he collected the LMA Manager of the Year award....

Image source, Reuters

...on Sunday, he stood in the dugout at Crystal Palace, drenched and despondent, as Liverpool lost for the fourth successive game.

Such is the fickle nature of football, that the sound of a ticking clock is never too far from the ear of any football manager, even one whose stock was so high just six months ago.

That sound could get a little louder for Rodgers if Liverpool fail to win tonight...