Liverpool v. Levski Sofia, UEFA Cup [R]

[RedKnight]

First leg at Anfield tomorrow, 26 February.

Heskey, Pongolle, Diao, Smicer unavailable:

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N143968040225-1328.htm

Levski are second in the Bulgarian league:

http://www.bulgarian-football.com/apfg.html
http://levski.bulgarian-football.com/

Soccernet preview:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/preview?id=140941&cc=5739

Lineup:

....................Dudek

Finnan--Henchoz--Hyypia--Carragher

Murphy--Hamann--Gerrard--Cheyrou

................Owen--Baros


Subs:

Kirkland
Biscan
Riise
Traore
Diouf
Kewell?
Le Tallec

I don't know how Kewell is progressing with the ankle, so I went with Cheyrou by default. And the match report I read indicated that Diouf sucked in his last reserve appearance, so I picked Murphy. Le Tallec didn't impress me in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Discuss. . .
-----

[youllneverwalkalone]

i think they should start murphy over le tallec also, he didnt show that much against portsmouth. i just wish there was someone else to take the place of cheyrou, he hasnt played well since his run of a few good games, and hes just starting to get annoying on the pitch

[RedKnight]

Originally posted by youllneverwalkalone i just wish there was someone else to take the place of cheyrou, he hasnt played well since his run of a few good games, and hes just starting to get annoying on the pitch

My thoughts, too. IF Kewell can start in his place, that would be my preference. But I just have seen nothing about his progress with the ankle--the suspension Sunday supposedly gave him more time to heal, but I can't find an update.

----

[liverbird]

I think that Kewell will play and that Diouf will play on the right. I might be wrong but that's what I suspect.

[liverbird]

Guardian reports this lineup for the game:

Liverpool (4-1-3-2): Kirkland; Finnan, Henchoz, Hyypia, Carragher; Hamann; Murphy, Gerrard, Kewell; Baros, Owen.

[Lanky134]

Between our Cup exit on Sunday and my trip to Vegas tomorrow morning, I'm having an awfully difficult time getting ready for this match. Maybe after lunch I'll be more enthusiastic...

[RedKnight]

Originally posted by liverbird
I think that Kewell will play and that Diouf will play on the right. I might be wrong but that's what I suspect.

I think you're half right, LB. With his not being ruled out--the way Heskey was, for example--I'm guessing Harry is in.

Diouf seems still to be out of favor from that mess with the Senegalese Federation. And he was unimpressive in the reserves last time out:

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/archivedirs/news/2004/feb/23/N143945040223-2227.html

Baros is definitiely starting, BTW, which I think is a real positive:

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N143983040226-1422.htm

----

[liverbird]

Originally posted by Lanky134
Between our Cup exit on Sunday and my trip to Vegas tomorrow morning, I'm having an awfully difficult time getting ready for this match. Maybe after lunch I'll be more enthusiastic...

I'm at a common internet station in San Francisco -- avoiding a really boring conference session -- I hope to get back at noon to catch somebody reporting the game.

[RedKnight]

Houllier:

"We'll give sweat and blood tonight."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N143982040226-1416.htm

Those sweating and bleeding will include:

.....................Kirkland

Finnan--Henchoz--Hyypia--Carragher

....Murphy--Hamann--Gerrard--Kewell

..................Owen--Baros

Subs:

Welsh
Traore
Le Tallec
Diouf
Cheyrou
Biscan
Dudek

----

[Lanky134]

Kirkland
Finnan
Henchoz
Hyypia
Carragher
Hamann
Gerrard
Murphy
Kewell
Owen
Baros

Subs:
Dudek
Diouf
Biscan
Le Tallec
Traore
Welsh
Cheyrou

[Lanky134]

Dimitar Ivankov 27
Georgi Markov 35
Iliyan Stoyanov 22
Elin Topuzakov 11
Daniel Borimirov 7
Asen Bukarev 13
Kostantin Golovskoy 17
Omonigo Temile 26
Kostadin Vidolov 38
Lucio Wagner 25
Georgi Ivanov 90

Georgi Petkov 1
Martin Stankov 23
Stanislav Angelov 20
Biser Ivanov 4
Sasha Simonovic 15
Dmitar Telkiyski 21
Georgi Chilikov 19

[EdTheRed]

As if it wasn't bad enough that the office firewall prevents streaming audio and video, now the danged computer isn't running the javascripts necessary for the text commentary. Thank god for BigSoccer!

[Lanky134]

By the way, Ed, I've been meaning to tell you that I love your avatar. That was one of the funniest half-hours I've ever seen.

[Lanky134]

YNWA being sung right now...

[Lanky134]

LFC loses the toss. Will attack the Kop end in the first half.

[Lanky134]

We're underway.

[Lanky134]

Murphy intercepts, but can't get it to Baros.

[Lanky134]

Baros takes on a few players in the box and gets away, but his shot is blocked.

Kewell concedes a free kick 30 yards out on the right. Cleared by Sami.

[Lanky134]

Corner to Sofia.

Horribly taken and it's out for a goal kick.

[Lanky134]

Stoyanov fouls Baros at midfield and is booked.