Crewe v LFC [R]

[Lanky134]

Kickoff at 10:00 AM EDT tomorrow for the return of the Prodigal Spud. I should be awake to do comms.

Le Tallec and Sinama Pongolle to make their debuts.

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N141000030718-1518.htm

French youngsters Anthony Le Tallec and Florent Sinama-Pongolle should finally make their Liverpool debuts at Crewe tomorrow.

The two players, who have been described as "gems" by Gerard Houllier, were unable to figure against Cologne after their international clearance failed to come through on time, but the Liverpool boss is hopeful it will arrive before kick off tomorrow.

"Unfortunately they coldn't play against Cologne, but they should be involved against Crewe," Houllier said today.

"It will be a good experience for them to get a chance in the remaining pre-season games."

Houllier, meanwhile, has revealed Markus Babbel may have a future at Anfield after all despite criticising his attitude at the end of last season.

Babbel played for 45 minutes against Cologne on Wednesday and should be involved again tomorrow with Houllier likely to repeat his experiment of fielding two different sides.

"Everyone comes back to training at the same level and gets the same chance," Houllier said.

"The unfortunate thing from Markus' point of view is he is suspended for the first four games of the new season anyway because he was sent off in a reserve match at the end of last season."

[655321]

Interesting quote on the Babbel situation. I think most of us assumed he was already gone. He'll probably have to work twice as hard as everyone else, but it would be nice to see him back.

[kopiteinkc]

Very interesting on Markus, probably why GH didn't add another defender as some of us assumed as he provides further cover.

[Lanky134]

But if Babbel's still in the picture, where does that put Carragher?

[655321]

Originally posted by Lanky134
But if Babbel's still in the picture, where does that put Carragher?

Unless Markus plays a bunch of blinders in the pre-season, I can't see Houllier putting him in front of even Carragher. However, both have struggled as of last, so who knows??

[gdiersing]

As I see him, Carragher can play all positions on the backline, a fresh pari of defensive legs in the second half might place him a regular replacment role as the first man off the bench. Getting his starts through injury and scheduled rest will still see him on the pitch a considerable amount.

Just a thought

[655321]

I think it's clear they'll both be on the bench for much of the first half of the season (at least). It all boils down to who Gerard has more faith in and likes more (easily Jamie at this point).

[Lanky134]

Originally posted by 655321
I think it's clear they'll both be on the bench for much of the first half of the season (at least). It all boils down to who Gerard has more faith in and likes more (easily Jamie at this point).
Yeah, but there's still Finnan to contend with. Bringing him in and giving another chance to Markus tells me that he wants his backs to get forward more, something that isn't going to happen with Jaime. I think Carragher is going to become a role player for us pretty soon.

[655321]

Originally posted by Lanky134
Yeah, but there's still Finnan to contend with. Bringing him in and giving another chance to Markus tells me that he wants his backs to get forward more, something that isn't going to happen with Jaime. I think Carragher is going to become a role player for us pretty soon.

Very true, didn't think about that.

I think the back four will be, at least for now,

Finnen/Hyypia/Henchoz/Riise

That's some serious forward thinking movement between those two on the wings. We've all seen what Babbel can do when he gets going, as well, so it would make sense that he would replace Finnen as warranted. And since Carragher can play on either the left or right, it would make sense that he would replace Riise as needed.

[Bjornebye]

Originally posted by Lanky134
<snip>Prodigal Spud<snip>

Unbeatable.

Stig

[LiverpoolFanatic]

I think Babbel will really have to show the type of form he showed in the treble season if he's gona get back in the mix. That and he'll have to lose the attitude he seemed to have last year, otherwise he'll be playing somewhere else.

[liverbird]

Originally posted by Lanky134
Kickoff at 10:00 AM EDT tomorrow for the return of the Prodigal Spud. I should be awake to do comms.



Look forward to it. The other night the Irish bar near the Piazza Navona had the Celtic v. Fulham game on but .... the watching of Italian women trying to beat the heat by wearing less and less won out so we people watched instead. The girl watching was for me and MiniLB --- obviously his Mom and sister were looking at the mimes and the handsome guidos.

[Lanky134]

Dudek
Carragher
Babbel
Hyypia
Riise
Smicer
Hamman
Murphy
Kewell
Owen
Baros


Ince
Wright
McCready
Foster
Walker
Vaughan
Rix
Bell
Brammar
Ashton
Jones

Won't mention the subs because you'll see them all at halftime anyway...

[Lanky134]

According to Crewe's website, the match is a testimonial to Steve Macauley and Shaun Smith, both of whom are celebrating ten years at the club.

[Lanky134]

Crewe have an American on trial named Chris Karagianous. Don't know anything about him.

In honor of Danny's return to Crewe, he will be wearing the armband instead of Sami.

[Lanky134]

Underway...

[Lanky134]

Corner to Crewe. Cleared by Carragher.

Owen to Baros. Looks for Smicer but it's gotten to by Crewe.

[Lanky134]

Hamman intercepts brilliantly and sends a great ball to Baros and Foster fouls him.

FK to LFC far side on the right. 35 yards out. Riise to take.

Great save by Ince to tip it over. Corner to LFC.

Murphy to take. Hamman miskicks. Hyypia nods down a header but Ince gets it before Owen can get to it.

[Lanky134]

LFC possessing. Good defending by Crewe and they break with a longball but nothing comes of it thanks to Carragher.

[Lanky134]

5.5 mins. 0-0

Ince makes a great save on Baros.

That's Clayton Ince, btw.