11 September 2006

Liverpool at PSV Eindhoven 9.12.2006

2:45pm. Available in the US on espn2.

Group C     Pld   Pts
Bordeaux        0       0
Galatasaray   0       0
Liverpool        0       0
PSV                  0       0

Liverpool has never played PSV in European competition.

Champions League qualifying games:
Liverpool v Maccabi Haifa 2-1 (h), 1-1 (a)
As winners of the Dutch league, PSV qualified directly for the group stage.

Liverpool goalscorers in Europe: Crouch 1; Bellamy 1; Gonzalez 1

European History:
Liverpool: European Cup/Champions League 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005; UEFA Cup 1973, 1976, 2001; UEFA Super Cup 1977, 2001, 2005
PSV: European Cup/Champions League 1988; UEFA Cup 1978

Referee: Massimo Busacca, Switzerland

Probable team for PSV, according to UEFA.com:
----------------Gomes---------------
-Kromkamp-Alex-Addo-Salcido-
----------------Simons---------------
------Afellay--Mendez--Mika-------
----------Farfan-----Kone------------

It will be very interesting if Kromkamp plays. I didn’t think he had a bad time at Liverpool; he frequently looked out of his depth, but he played hard and wasn’t a bad squad player. I’m not surprised he left during the transfer window, but I wasn’t certain he’d be leaving like some were either. I’m sure he’ll have a better time back in the Netherlands, but seeing his name on the team sheet certainly doesn’t strike the fear of God into me.

Farfan and Kone are both dangerous quick strikers who like the ball at their feet and can score goals out of nothing. Liverpool’s back line has been shaky as of late, and it’ll be absolutely essential not to let these two break away on the counter attack, which is where PSV will be the most dangerous.

Philip Cocu is suspended for the match, and it appears Patrick Kluivert will be out due to injury. While both are getting up there in years, they remain quality players, and it can only be good they’ll probably be out.

The lineup I’d like to see:
-----------------Reina----------------
----Finnan-Hyypia-Agger-Aurelio----
-Pennant-Gerrard-Sissoko-Gonzalez-
-------------Kuyt-Bellamy-----------

The derby showed Carra needs more time to recuperate, and with Chelsea coming up on Sunday, I think he gets rested here. Pennant and Gonzalez give Liverpool loads of pace up and down the wings. I’m hesitant to say it, but I think Xabi could use a game off due to his recent form, and the aforementioned Chelsea game. No one on the team knows the Dutch league better than Kuyt, and he’s in line for his first start after two good sub appearances in the last two games. Bellamy sat out the the derby, is due for a start, and I would like to see him get games with Kuyt to see if Liverpool’s ~£16m worth of strikers can be the first choice pairing.

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