What is the latest on Gerrard's injury? Looks like he is out for the Leeds match irregardless. I suppose the midfield is Smicer (if he's ready), Cheyrou, Murphy, and Hamann. Also, Heskey may be out and Henchoz is, so front line is Owen and Baros (who scored today for the Czechs) and the defense is Riise (who scored for Norway), Hyypia, Traore (is Babbel ready?), and Carragher. Gonna be a FUN match.
Welcome UVALaw. Charlottesville is a nice area. Babbel may figure in this weeks match. i haven't heard the latest on Gerrard yet.
Doubtful Found on Soccernet: Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard suffered a hip injury in England's 2-2 draw with Macedonia last night and is doubtful for Saturday's Premiership clash with Leeds United. 'I'm in a bit of pain,' Gerrard admitted after the match. 'I took a nasty bang on the hip and I might struggle for the weekend. I went up for header and took an elbow or a leg and it's right on the bone. I couldn't carry on.' The 22-year old could also possibly miss Tuesday's Champions League showdown against Spartak Moscow in Russia. 'I don't know about next week,' Gerrard said. 'It's swelled up a bit as it's bruised, so I'll be in a bit of pain for a few days at least.' Liverpool manager Gerrard Houllier already has striker Emile Heskey and goalkeeper Chris Kirkland on the treatment table after returning from international duty with with injuries. Heskey withdrew from the England squad that faced Macedonia on Wednesday with a groin injury and Kirkland lasted only 25-mintues for the England Under-21's on Tuesday before leaving the pitch with a neck problem. All three players a doubtful for the the weekend clash at Elland Road, but none have been totally ruled out.
A warm welcome UVALaw. It seems from the soccernet report that Lanky posted above that Gerrard will miss the match along with Heskey and Henchoz. Seems our strength of squad will be tested here as no trip to Leeds is ever easy, despite our recent success there. I would imagine we might see: Dudek Carragher-Traore-Hyypia-Riise Murphy-Hamann-Diao-Cheyrou Baros-Owen Babbel could come in, Cheyrou could play in the middle instead of Diao and Smicer or Berger could play on the left. Oh and did I mention I hate Alan Smith?
Let me add my welcome, UVALaw, to this, one of the sanest corners of bigsoccer.com. With Gerrard, Heskey, and Henchoz out, I think kopiteinkc’s lineup is pretty close to the mark. If Babbel were fit, though, I would push Traore out to the left. Riise would go to left-sided midfield, and Diao to the bench. I'm less keen on Smicer or Berger than you are, I suppose. I don’t think you have to mention that you hate Alan Smith—for those of us who are members in good standing of Matt Clark’s benevolent despotism, such hatred is a given. -----
I think that he would have an outside shot at the Nobel committee's Foul Play Prize--if it weren't for the lifetime "achievements" of a certain psychopathic Manc. Unless Keane were to win the award for Literature, that is . . . -------------------
And now Sami... http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/021017/21/dc09o.html Liverpool skipper Sami Hyypia picked up a rib injury on duty for Finland on Wednesday but should be fit to face Leeds on Saturday. Hyypia received an elbow in the ribs from goalscorer Darko Kovecevic in the 2-0 Euro 2004 qualifier defeat and, despite admitting the injury is very painful, it should not be enough to keep him out of the crunch clash at Elland Road. Manager Gerard Houllier will be relieved to have Hyypia available, because with Stephane Henchoz a long-term injury victim, the Frenchman would have found his centre-back options severely restricted.
I am assuming that Babbel is not quite ready. If he is I would have him in any starting line up, even if everyone was fit. I certainly prefer Berger over Smicer, apparently Berger has been playing well with the reserves. I guess the bigger issue is, if Stevie G doesn't play who does play in the middle of midfield? I put Diao in there as he can play both the defensive and attacking roles much better than he can play at the back. Cheyrou in the middle, Riise out on the left is a good option too.
Smicer has only just recently returned to training and isn't ready to play. Vignal also played in the last reserve match. Maybe he could be the left back, Riise as left-mid, and Cheyrou in the middle.
An update, of sorts: 17 October 2002 : by Steve Hunter Gerrard remains a doubt for Leeds trip Steven Gerrard remains a big doubt for Liverpool ahead of Saturday's trip to Leeds after picking up a hip injury playing for England. Gerrard was stretchered off in the 53rd minute and also scored in England's 2-2 draw with Macedonia. The Reds ace hasn't ruled out playing against Leeds but says the Champions League match in Spartak Moscow is more likely. Gerrard said: "Thankfully it's not something which will keep me out for weeks and weeks. It may just be a case of a few days, but we'll just have to see later today. I'm not ruling out the possibility of playing against Leeds, but I think it's fair to say I'm struggling. "I'm in a bit of pain because I've had a nasty bang on my hip. I might struggle for the weekend. "I did it going up for a header and I got either elbowed or a knee in my hip. I couldn't carry on. It was a nasty whack. It's all bruised so I'll need a couple of days treatment and then I'll see how bad it is on Saturday. "I'll let the physios at Melwood look at it today but the staff with England think I'll be lucky to make it for Leeds. I've played a lot of consecutive games and I wanted to keep that run going, but that's football and you get whacks in a game. "I'll try my best for Saturday but it may have to be a case of waiting for Tuesday instead." If Gerrard is a big doubt for the trip to Elland Road then the news is better concerning Dietmar Hamann, who recovered from injury to play for Germany last night in their 2-1 win over the Faroe Islands. http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N137141021017-1548.htm
We'll surely miss Steven. Sky Sports Reported on Thursday evening that he may be doubtful for the trip to Moscow on Tuesday as well. The damn guy just can't stay healthy. Best wishes to a speedy return. A healthy Owen and Gerrard are vital if we want to polish silver next spring. But, on to the match. One of only TWO days of the year when Robbie Fowler is NOT my favourite player. LFC v LUFC Walk On Reds.
What's all this about Alan Smith? He's great! If only there were more Smudger's in this crazy world of ours.
Saw on skysports.com that Berger is out as well. Don't know why or how, but it said Liverpool were gonna be without Berger as well. Guess he misses his chance...Hopefully Heskey will be fit though.
News on Stevie G.--and GOOD NEWS at that: 24 October 2002 : by Paul Eaton Stevie G back in training Steven Gerrard is set to give Liverpool a major boost this weekend by announcing himself fit for action against Tottenham. The Reds star has missed the last two games after picking up a hip injury while playing for England last week, but he is due to return to training with the first team today and could be in Gerard Houllier's plans for the weekend. Bruno Cheyrou could also return to the squad after missing the win in Moscow with a thigh injury. http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N137241021024-1058.htm -------
Great news! We have so many ‘great’ halfbacks now it’s hard to keep a place in the squad even if you’re a full international player. Another regular goalscorer would be nice…!!!