Liverpool v. Benfica [R]

[liverbird]

Lineup:


-----------Reina
Finnan---JC----Agger-----Riise
-----------Xabi
Cisse-------SG---------Harry
-------Crouch---Garcia

Dudek
Moro
Fowler
Hamann
Djimmy
Kronkamp

Have to score 2 and give up none. I am thinking Sami is hurt and won't be risked. Balls to the wall--- leave nothing on the pitch.

[ram1]

I really like that lineup, for me the only question mark is Cisse on the right but it should be decent option. Sometimes I question his effort and quite frankly his ability particularly when playing out wide. Anyway, when I started thinking about this game the very first thing that popped into my mind was Garcia and Crouch need to start up front. Heres to hoping Morientes doesn't start, and if he does ...that he shocks the world and scores. Twice :D . GGs.

[LFCFanInCali]

Didn't Agger play for Brondby in the qualifying rounds? Might have to play Traore in the center (shudders). Unless we throw in Didi and play 3-5-2.

And I think Kromkamp got in a game for Villarreal as well, when they sent Everton out.

[USvsIRELAND]

Score a goal someone!
Sheesh.

[RCCook]

Didn't Agger play for Brondby in the qualifying rounds? Might have to play Traore in the center (shudders). Unless we throw in Didi and play 3-5-2.

And I think Kromkamp got in a game for Villarreal as well, when they sent Everton out.

Yes- both Agger and Kromkamp played in earlier rounds of the CL. So neither is eligible to play in this match.

[liverbird]

Yes- both Agger and Kromkamp played in earlier rounds of the CL. So neither is eligible to play in this match.

well that takes care of that.:D

Djimmy if Sami can't go. And I've no idea who to put on the bench for Kronkamp. We are pretty much limited to Warnock or one of the Reserve boys. Hamill or Anderson.

[benficafan3]

This is gunna be a good game!!!!!!!

[usscouse]

Not a good time in our season for this one. Do you think we can reschedule..!

[Benfica4Life]

Im expecting a good game. Geovanni is back and had a very good 1st game. We didnt have him in the last game, soo hopefully he'll contribute his part to make for another good game. Cant wait!

[Daniel_Alves]

That lineup and Cissé as right winger reminds me of Geovanni. I wonder what's up with the coaches positioning strikers in the flanks.

[ULL NEVER WALK ALONE]

Well,its nothing personal liverbird,but i hate that line-up.Every time gerrard has played in the middle,we just dont seem to win,never mind score 2 goals.We need to stick with our traditional 4-4-2,and stick gerrard in the right.(remeber that with this formation we went on a 12 match unbeaten run!).plus,if hyypia is not going to play,we need didi to give us some kind of defensive cover.Plus,cisse is our top C.L and EPL scorer,so i think he should start!

so my line-up would be

------------Reina----------
-Finnan---CR------Traore---Riise
-Gerrard---Didi----Alonso----Kewell
------Garcia/cisse---Crouch------
sub
Garcia/cisse
Kromkamp
warnock
fowler
moro

[Matt Clark]

"I don't think this game will be especially difficult because I have so much confidence in my team. I am even confident enough to think that if Benfica score a goal then we will score three and still go through. I saw nothing in Lisbon that we can't handle at Anfield."

If this comment from Rafa (found in the Guardian) is correctly reported, then I for one am worried.

[Red Bird]

I'm assuming, completely with precious little evidence, of course, that this was a remark immediately made after the match, a remark tinged with disappointment at conceeding a stupid goal at the death.

I am also worried about the apparently arrogant tone of the statement. Remembering our own performances last season, I find it uncomfortably uncharacsterstic of Rafa.

[benficafan3]

"I don't think this game will be especially difficult because I have so much confidence in my team. I am even confident enough to think that if Benfica score a goal then we will score three and still go through. I saw nothing in Lisbon that we can't handle at Anfield."

If this comment from Rafa (found in the Guardian) is correctly reported, then I for one am worried.

I, for one, am very surprised if Benitez actually said this.

[Daniel_Alves]

It was Gerrard who said that and Morientes added that Benfica is not a top class team but admires Koeman.

[Crown Paints]

It was Gerrard who said that and Morientes added that Benfica is not a top class team but admires Koeman.

Ok I am now seriously worried...if we don't go into this match with the right attitude we will be seriously screwed over. Just look what happened to Manure

[benficafan3]

Ok I am now seriously worried...if we don't go into this match with the right attitude we will be seriously screwed over. Just look what happened to Manure

Well Man. Utd. didn't underestimate us from the beginning which is how they got an early goal, but that goal made them relax way too much and they suffered.

Liverpool, on the other hand, is underestimating us already. Benfica not a top class team? Well we are on the verge of the quarter-finals but have been nowhere in Europe in recent years so that is debateable, but for him to say that to the media is just wrong in my opinion.

[Red Bird]

It was Gerrard who said that and Morientes added that Benfica is not a top class team but admires Koeman.
The pitfalls of translating from one language to another while maintaning context and journalists' penchant for selectively quoting make me very much doubt this. Unless you actually spoke to Morientes yourself, link, please?

[Bobinhood]

Well its funny whoever said that 'cause for about week now i've had a feeling that we are going to give up a first half goal and then pull an olympiakos in the second half, then pot the winner in extra time to round it all off.

We all know the reds like to keep it exciting if they can :eek: Four goals...no problem. Gotta get that Mo on the Go.

Cmon Red Men! Go Go Go!

[LFCFanInCali]

The pitfalls of translating from one language to another while maintaning context and journalists' penchant for selectively quoting make me very much doubt this. Unless you actually spoke to Morientes yourself, link, please?
It was actually on the LFC site.

"The Benfica coach, Ronald Koeman, was one of my idols as a child. He was a top-class footballer and now he is proving to be one of the best coaches in Europe. But his team is not one of the best in the world and we all believe we can beat them."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N151658060305-0937.htm