Cup Semi Final -- Two Legs Perhaps michael to be back. Mellor played well on Sunday, but I'd like Emile as his partner. Stick with Carra, H-H, and Traore. Let Riise play along with Stevie, Danny, and Diao. Smicer, Baros, Mellor, Vignal and Diouf as reserves. Give Jerzy a game if he's fit.
Ahem... The burning question, however, is whether or not Liverbird will need to see his dentist come Wednesday. Stig's already made his appointment! Stig
Injury/fitness update, from: http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N138393030107-1308.htm Owen is possible, but looks to face a late fitness test. Heskey is definitely back. Hamann is definitely still out with the shin injury. ----
Owen on the bench: Michael Owen is set to be on the bench for Liverpool's Worthington Cup semi-final at Sheffield United tonight. Owen is fit again after a hamstring problem but the frosty playing surface at Brammall Lane is likely to persuade manager Gerard Houllier to start with his star striker on the substitute's bench. Houllier said today: "It's full of snow here and I want to be careful with Michael. Michael has trained properly and everything is fine with him. "I think he will be involved at some point, but you have to remember he has had only one training session and I want to make sure he'll be okay for Aston Villa this weekend as well.
Good move to keep Owen on the bench. I can help with pbp in the second half, I have to train some staff during the first half. I really need to check our midweek match schedule before planning staff training sessions.
I'm trying to see if Sheffield United will scroll the game or only allow pay members to get audio commentary. If I can find the scrolling text, I'll be back now and again to try a hand at pbp if no one else has started. edit - need to pay for them too. Lineup from LiverpoolFC.tv Kirkland Carragher - Henchoz- Hyypia - Traore Murphy - Gerrard - Diao - Smicer Mellor - Djouf Dudek, Cheyrou, Heskey, Owen and Riise on the bench From the Sheffield United site Riise for Traore in the back. Biscan for Murphy, Cheyrou for Smicer, Baros for Mellor. It looks like they're printing the Newcastle lineup.
Skysports.com is saying they will have minute-by-minutes (free, obviously). Here's their lineups... Sheff Utd: Kenny, Jagielka, Quinn, Murphy, Page, Brown, McCall, Ndlovu, Tonge, Allison, Asaba. Subs: Kozluk, Peschisolido, Montgomery, McGovern, de Vogt. Liverpool: Kirkland, Carragher, Henchoz, Hyypia, Traore, Gerrard, Diao, Murphy, Smicer, Diouf, Mellor. Subs: Heskey, Owen, Riise, Cheyrou, Dudek.
Lineup: Kirkland Carragher--Hyypia--Henchoz--Traore Smicer--Gerrard--Diao--Murphy Diouf--Mellor Apparently Diouf and Mellor are both doing quite well. We've looked pretty good, but I would expect no less with the opposition (no offense to the Sheffield faithful). They went after Traore hard for the first 15 or 20 minutes, and he did pretty well. As I say that, he gets booked. . . 42'
Mellor with a great run into the box, Gerrard just misses him on the cross. We seem to be clamping down defensively on the flanks quite well. HT: 0-1. Apparently all is coming up roses offensively. Good width, strong possesion, only a couple of half chances for the Blades. Hyypia and Mellor contending for MoM right now.
SuperElf, I'm following the SkySports and BBC text comms, which refresh automatically, so don't bother on my behalf.
Someone's a little card-happy it seems. Not surprised, considering the Blade's reputation . . . but doesn't bode well for the next fixture if we lose too many players. So far I guess it is only squad players. Apart from Henchoz. Anyone watching or listening: is it really that rough out there?
According to the BBC commentators, "Liverpool is not playing that well, but United are not good enough to take advantage of it".
If I was at home, I'd be too busy throwing the TV through the window, but since I'm at work I can post this for the record . . . Goal - Sheff Utd. 82nd Min. 2-1. Henchoz's clearance from United's corner is shoddy and Tonge belts his second from 18 yards