This thread will contain the result later today. If anyone is willing to give updates on the match, those of us too cheap to buy the e-season ticket would appreciate it!
Game starts 3.30 est I can do the first half, but it is friday, and I get out of work at 4. I'll try and find the lineups awhile.
No teamsheet yet. Jari is out for a month with a knee injury. Heskey is probably out another week with his hamstring injury Owen is likely going to rest tonight due to a groin injury. Carrager trained last night, but is also expected to miss the game tonight
from shankly gates this rather long preview: Real Madrid preview By James Carroll Date: 2/8/2002 Liverpool's pre-season preparations continue tonight as they take on European Champions Real Madrid in the prestigious Madrid tournament with Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard both set to figure for the reds. Gerard has recovered from an thigh injury and is set to play some part in the Madrid tournament whether it be tonight or on Sunday. The England international midfielder came through a training session yesterday unscathed but is likely to start tonight's game on the bench. Owen too could start the game on the bench after he missed training yesterday but he is still set to figure at some point. Tonight's game is certainly a big test for Liverpool and while both sides are likely to rotate their teams heavily, reds' boss Gerard Houllier says that he is delighted to be taking on the Spanish giants. He says: "I deliberately wanted to play much tougher opposition in our pre-season schedule this year. To play Lazio, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich or AC Milan gives us the kind of hard test we are looking for." "Obviously none of us are at the kind of level of fitness or sharpness we would be if these were Champions' League matches, but the players will benefit from the experience of playing in the Bernabeu Stadium." "It will hold us in good stead if we have to play Real again here in a more competitive game. Real are the European Champions so, at the moment, they are the best in Europe. It's an honour for the club to be invited here to play them in this event." "Our last two games before the Community Shield will be as difficult as they could be so by the end of the weekend we will be much nearer the level we want to be." "I am going to have to be cautious with one or two players, especially the World Cup ones. I will give them a few free days. The problem is not a physical one but more of a mental one. It is nothing serious but I have to be wary about mental fatigue," added Houllier. If Liverpool win tonight's game then they will face the winners of the AC Milan v Bayern Munich clash on Saturday evening. If they are defeated, they will go into a 3rd/4th place play-off against the losers of the other tie. The tournament has been set up so that the four most successful teams in European history can face each other. Real lead the way with nine European Cup wins, the last being in May, and Houllier has been quick to praise the hosts. "This game reminds me of the match we played last season in the Super Cup final because we are playing the Champions of Europe," said Houllier. "The difference is that this game is at a different stage of the season and both teams will be rotating players during the match." "Real Madrid have been the best team in Europe over the last five or six years. They have won three Champions League finals and they have always managed to reach at least the quarter final of the competition. That tells you about their consistency at the top level." "We are always aiming for the top ourselves. We want to aim for the moon and if we do that then maybe we will land among the stars." "We still have some work to do to reach Real Madrid's level though. We need a bit more experience but that will come with time. First we need to enjoy at least the same kind of season we did last year." Meanwhile, former Liverpool winger Steve McManaman has attempted to play down the hype surrounding the game. The Real Madrid star left Anfield under the bosman ruling in 1999 to move to Spain and he says that fans should read too much into the result. "It's only a friendly game," said McManaman. "We haven't got many of our players back yet because our season doesn't start for another month." "But if you're going to play a friendly game then this is a nice one to play for both sides. You can't read anything into the result though." "We've only had one decent pre-season game so far so I wouldn't read too much into what happens in this match." "Our Spanish World Cup stars, like Raul, won't be playing and we will make a lot of changes at half time. But it should still be a good game for the fans." Liverpool are set to start with Senegal international striker El-Hadji Diouf in attack alongside Emile Heskey. Bruno Cheyrou will contonue in midfielder after being so impressive in Tuesday night's game with Lazio.
Here is the teamsheet as per the turnstile starters Jerzy Dudek Stephane Henchoz Sami Hyypia Abel Xavier Gregory Vignal Vladimir Smicer Dietmar Hamann Danny Murphy John Arne Riise Emile Heskey El-Hadji Diouf subs : Chris Kirkland Patrik Berger Nick Barmby Bernard Diomede Igor Biscan Bruno Cheyrou Djimi Traore Audio just came on, fairly poor reception so for.
slow start to the game. Heskey with a chance. Zidane volleys a figo cross on the counter, hits the post. 8 minutes in.
Heskey causing trouble off a long ball from Riise. Keeper misplayed but good defending forced the corner. Xavier with a chance on the resulting corner. Players wearing white arm bands for Ms. Shankley (?) who died today.
Figo causing trouble on the right. Seems to have regained that first step. Figo with a chance on a free kick, just over the top.
Figo is killing Riise and vignal. Draws another free kick on Riise. Zidane with a left footed blast. Dudek saves. out for corner. Liverpool throw.
Riise with a chance on a free kick. Right to the keeper who holds on. Vignal gets beat again. Dudek make the save.
Yeah he was off getting treatment earlier. i'm still trying to do some productive work so I miss a few minutes here and there.
E-season ticket is worth every penny. You guys need to get it so I don't lose my job. Fairly even match so far. Chances at either end. Hamman just earned a yellow for dissent, apparently.
Good to hear we are holding our own. Anyone else on here lurking, listening in. Or is just dcc and me today?
Goal. Figo. Play started from a Zidane 40 yard pass to the foot of figo, who beats Vignal and Hyppia and scores with his left. "Brilliant Goal started by an esquisite pass"