26 August 2008

Liverpool v Standard de Liege 08.27.08

3:05pm Eastern Time. Once again, I think US viewers are stuck looking for streams if they don't have lfc.tv's e-season ticket.

0-0 on aggregate.

Last 3 matches:
Liverpool: 2-1 Boro (h); 1-0 Sunderland (a); 0-0 Standard (a)
Standard: 3-0 KVC Westerlo (h); 3-1 Dender (a); 0-0 Liverpool (h)

Referee: Massimo Busacca (SUI)

Guess at a squad:
Reina
Arbeloa Carragher Skrtel Dossena
Kuyt Gerrard Alonso Benayoun
Keane Torres

Benitez has ruled out both Lucas and Mascherano
, with this game coming too soon after their return from the Olympics, but hopes they’ll be back for Sunday. So unless Babel starts, I doubt we’ll see any changes from the team that beat Boro. Babel always seems more likely to come off the bench, but I wouldn’t be too surprised to see him in place of Benayoun after the last couple of games.

The Olympics and Rafa’s slimming of the squad have led to a lot less rotation (much to the media’s chagrin, I’m sure). Skrtel, Hyypia and Agger have split time partnering Carragher, and Plessis started the first two matches in place of Gerrard and Alonso respectively, but that’s it. Plessis hasn’t seen time since the first half against Sunderland, and Gerrard starting this time around (having only come off the bench because of a thigh strain in the last leg) will hopefully make a major difference.

If Hyypia’s fully fit (he picked up a hamstring injury at Sunderland, but in the same interview, Benitez said everyone’s available), I think there’s a good chance he’ll start. Even at his age, he’s imperious in the air, which Liverpool needs if the previous meeting set any precedent. Hopefully that would lead to Carragher moving to right back, which I admittedly have been suggesting more and more, but I think we’ll have to wait on that debate.

Standard has won their last two games by a 6-1 margin, and Mbokani, the danger-man in the last meeting (along with Fellaini), scored four of those goals. American defender Oguchi Onyewu should return after serving a suspension, as should Jovanovic, who was left out because of a possible transfer move to PSV that has seemingly fallen through. The last leg showed that the Belgians are no minnows, and Benitez says this is the toughest team Liverpool’s faced in the qualifiers since he became manager. These inclusions should make Liege even better.

It’ll certainly be a different game as it’s at Anfield, but that doesn’t assure victory. Two wins and a draw with the performances in the past three games is a fantastic return, but Liverpool can’t keep relying on guts and luck.

A fluke goal leading to a score draw would mean an exit from the competition, and Liverpool would miss out on the lucrative group stage at a time when money’s tight. I hate that it’s this way, but there’s a reason pretty much everything written about this game mentions Champions League revenue.

It’s not really possible for Liverpool to play as badly as they did in Liege. Yes, there hasn’t been enough progress over the last two matches, but there has been some. Little by little we’re seeing more moments where Torres and Keane click, which is no small matter. And yes, Fortress Anfield on a European night has been a massive advantage in the past.

But stranger things have happened, and it only takes a moment of brilliance or luck to decide a match. This certain match has a greater impact on the rest of the season, and Liverpool’s fortunes as a whole, than most.

9 comments :

Starting11 said...

It would be a tragedy if Liverpool failed today; I don't see Liege competing however.
http://startingeleven.blogspot.com/2008/08/liverpool-sweats-champions-league.html

BackBergtt said...

wow we are going to need at least two goals at this rate. reina is a golden balding god

BackBergtt said...

regardless of result, which still ought to be a win, if that team comes out unchanged this should be the last game we ever see of rafa. the stubbornness isnt cute anymore, taking off yossi or kuyt at 75 minutes isnt going to do shit


sickeningly disappointing performance from everyone except pepe in this tie

Shawn said...

Benayoun needs to get off the field NOW. He's given the ball away every time he's touched it. I'd rather see an unfit Babel for 45 (+?) minutes. Arbeloa needs to go too, he's getting embarassed on the right.

BackBergtt said...

no changes

wow

still think they win but why why why is there noone like pennant or ngog in the squad instead of both spearing and plessis? terrible subs selection

acbleach said...

Where did the e-season ticket video stream go?

BackBergtt said...

still working for me. its only glitched like once

i cant believe that goal

Anonymous said...

Babel delivered a very nice cross but didn't it seem that he was out wide almost by accident?

Anyway, it's a win.

Do you think the yanks were sweating this one out a bit? :-)

acbleach said...

Oh, e-season, why do you treat me this way?

Me (Right before Babel's cross): WHY IS BABEL PLAYING ON THE LEFT?

Me (Right after Kuyt's goal): BWAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!