Re: CL Matchday 1 at Porto The team by AussieLFCfan looks likely to me. Torres and Gerrard are certain to come in, as is Mascherano. Rafa wants to win this match. Porto are probably the most dangerous opponents in the Group, so a win over them would give the Reds control of the group. Liverpool beat Porto in the UEFA Cup in 2001. Both teams have pedigree in this tournament, both historically and recently, so it should be a tasty match. Going into this match I am very confident of getting at least a draw and maybe even a convincing win. Liverpool are looking very strong this season and will be confident of giving the Portuguese a tough match. Of course Porto have been in good form themselves and will have identified us as the number one threat in the group. I am not too familiar with the Portuguese domestic games and so cannot identify any dangers in the Porto side. Quaresma is a name but other than him I do not really know their side at all. Perhaps some Portuguese poster (or someone with some current indepth knowledge of Portuguese football) can give a heads up of the likely formation and dangers posed by the Porto side. I am looking forward to this game and hope that in this match and the Birmingham game we can put down a marker for the season.
Re: CL Matchday 1 at Porto I didn't mean to say Rafa was looking for a 0-0, just wanted to point how important it would be for 'our' team to see this game as a final and therefore, anything but a win is acceptable. If so, this could become a relaxed CL group stage for Liverpool, making EPL as prime target until the end of the year. Not seing Liverpool inside the box playing for 0-0 either. Porto is always tough at home and this squad in particular, although not as blilliant as other Porto teams, has a lot of solutions. Their weakest link is the coach.
Re: CL Matchday 1 at Porto Definitely like AussieLFCs teamsheet. Good thing Aurelio is back, because we were looking a little thin with defensive substitutes at the back.
Re: CL Matchday 1 at Porto i think fabios gonna feature: Pepe arbs sami agger fabio pen SG mash babel kuyt Torres finnan and cara are recently injured and played on sat. sami and fabio can pick up the load. crouchie, alonso, benayoun, veronin and itjande. i wouldnt even be suprised if he started kuyt and crouch and kept torres for the prem.
Re: CL Matchday 1 at Porto Porto is weakest in centre of defence definatly with the loss of Pepe, as pedro emmanuel is very slow and old, although he might miss the match so Joao Paulo will replace him. Joao Paulo is a tough no shit defender, although untested at this level, very strong physically, but I have my doubts about his ability to defend a skillfull forward such as Torres. their rightback is Bosingwa, portugal international and superb fullback, right now hes on better form then Miguel, and is a fast skillfull player who is also solid defensivly. Bruno Alves is another solid player in defense, portugeuse international, and kind of in the mold of Jorge Costa, very strong in the air, good anticipation and tackling, but not alot of pace. Fucile is the leftback, urugauy international, and was urugauys best player in copa america voted to team of the tournement. He links up well with quaresma in attacking down the left Assuncao is their defensive midfielder, probably the best d-mid in portugal bar sportings miguel veloso, superb player that always performs well in Europe, dominating arsenals and chelseas midfield last year. Very good tackling and ball recovery attributes, also able to move the ball around superbly, and although he doesnt get alot of fame I think hes the most important player besides Quaresma on porto. Lucho Gonzalaz is a Argentina international, very good box to box midfielder, very skillfull and strong, with a powerful shot and strong creative play, he makes a fantastic duo with assuncao as it lets him roam forward. Raul Meireles- although scolari repeatidly calls him up, hes not that good and shouldnt be nowhere near the ntl team, a decent solid player who tries hard every game, but no more then that. Lisandro Lopez- Argentina international, very good striker, physical with good heading and shooting capabilities, plays with his heart and has the skill to get by players as well. Portos best forward. Leandro Lima- i think he will start as tarik is in doubt with injury, and this may be a blessing in disguise as tarik is average, but leandro lima is a top brazilian prospect. Typical brazilian attacking midfielder, very creative with alot of flair, although the end product is lacking a bit. Ricardo Quaresma- Most important player on the team, quick and skillfull with superb crossing, and is to porto what ronaldo is to united. The problem is he suffers from heavy man marking alot, and as shown vs chelsea last year, if he gets bullied around a bit from a double team he gets frustrated easily and it throws him off his game. Still, a very dangerous player who is a man on a mission the past few years to make a name for himself after that known bust up with rijkaard. Shut him down and portos attack isnt half as dangerous. Nuno will be their starting goaltender as Helton, as the brazilian international is injured. Nuno is decent I guess, but nowhere near Heltons quality. Hope that helps, Porto have a very capable squad, but the loss of Pepe in defense is a massive blow, and lisandro lopez plays best as a support striker, but will be forced to play striker as postiga is injured, and their new signing from Argentina Ernesnto Farias isnt 100% match fit yet. If Liverpool can contain Quaresma and not give Lucho and Lisandro time on the ball they will get away with a good result, although beware of Fucile and Bosingwas runs, as they join the attack often overlapping down the flanks, which could open up space for dangerous counter attacks for Torres and co to exploit.
Re: CL Matchday 1 at Porto Thank you for that breakdown of Porto....let's hope we can put the preasure on Porto early on. The way to beat a team like that is to keep them off the ball for as long as possible. I can't wait to see how we're going to deal with Quaresma.
Re: CL Matchday 1 at Porto If Bosingwa is solid defensively then I'm the Pope. Bosingwa in one of those fullbacks who think they are wingers. I suggest you exploit this. (All their defenders are crap, by the way.) Raul Meireles used to be crap but lately he's been showing a lot of improvement. Watch out for his long-range shooting. Beware of diving OUTSIDE the box. Quaresma is a fine free-kick taker, that's something they'll try to capitalise upon. Good luck. You can and should win this game.
Re: CL Matchday 1 at Porto Bosingwa isnt solid on defense?! Yes thats why not one player from poland or serbia managed to dribble him in portugals recent matches. Hes a hell of alot more solid then Nelson from benfica thats for sure. Might not be saying much though Meireles is a utility player, nothing more. Whoever Liverpool put out should eat him alive.
For those interested, I've created a league on the above mentioned site. League Name: Big Soccer League Password: Rafa Get your picks in!
Xabi out as is Momo for today: http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/...objectid=19809213&siteid=50061-name_page.html
I have an unavoidable meeting today -- I'd tell you where, but I'd have to shoot you --- so I am tivoing the match and will watch it tonite. All of which means I will be avoiding the threads from 7PM GMT until about midnight GMT. Come on you Reds!
Just make sure that they don't shoot you! 11:30 -2pm PST isnt the best time for me either so I'm DVRing also. I'm also 110% confident that I won't run into anyone who will inadvertantly blurt out the score. Champions League....are the Mariners playing today..? YNWA L I V E R P O O L !
for those stateside and stuck at work (and you insomniacs) Tue Sep 18 04:00PM Pacific Tue Sep 18 05:00PM Mountain Tue Sep 18 06:00PM Central Tue Sep 18 07:00PM Eastern Length: 2 hr SDD ESPN Deportes UEFA Champions League Porto (Portugal) vs Liverpool (England) Tue Sep 18 11:00PM Pacific Wed Sep 19 12:00AM Mountain Wed Sep 19 01:00AM Central Wed Sep 19 02:00AM Eastern Length: 2 hr SDD ESPN Deportes UEFA Champions League Chelsea (England) vs Rosenborg (Norway) Wed Sep 19 01:00AM Pacific Wed Sep 19 02:00AM Mountain Wed Sep 19 03:00AM Central Wed Sep 19 04:00AM Eastern Length: 2 hr R ESPN Deportes UEFA Champions League Porto (Portugal) vs Liverpool (England)
starting team His team in full is: Reina, Arbeloa, Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Babel, Pennant, Mascherano, Gerrard, Torres, Kuyt. Subs to follow.
Starting lineup has been posted- still waiting on the subs: Reina Arbs-Hyypia-Carra-Finnan Babel-Mascherano-Gerrard-Pennant Torres-Kuyt I have to conduct a training class this afternoon, so I'm missing the match as well. At least it's on TV, so I can DVR it...
our subs: Itandje Agga Voronin Yossi Fabio Crouchinho Lucas Porto: Nuno Alves Assuncao Quaresma Lucho G Lisandro Bosingwa Fucile Joao Paulo Meireles Sektioui
9 for 11. Scary. People im dialed in this year so far. Finnan and Cara i thought he'd rest them due to recent injurys but he rested Agger and kept Fabio on the bench. Go team. Gooooal please.
That's a good looking starting XI. I only hope Hyypia doesn't get exposed for pace. Hopefully one of you fine people will be gracious enough to do comms for the match? Tragically, I'm in the office.
Flippin' heck. That was close. A sloppy clearance by Finnan who is looking a bit ragged. We've hardly been out o four box. 4 minutes.
Quaresma is causing all sorts of problems on the right. Hyypia done for pace and a penalty conceded. Gonzalez puts it. A deserved goal and we are rocking on our feet.