by Effes » Wed Aug 27, 2008 4:21 pm
Racing Post's verdict:
Belgian raiders no pushovers for Rafa's Reds
Mark Langdon
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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE qualifiers are often taken for granted by England's biggest Premier League clubs, but Liverpool were made to work extremely hard by Standard Liege in their first leg in Belgium two weeks ago.
Rafael Benitez's team were outplayed for 90 minutes and only an outstanding goalkeeping performance from Pepe Reina, who saved a penalty and made many other crucial stops, kept the fixture scoreless.
However, despite that, Liverpool are 1-5 to win tonight's second leg at Anfield and 1-8 to qualify for thelucrative group stages, with layers obviously anticipating a much-improved performance from the Merseysiders.
In fairness, the first leg was played before Liverpool had performed in the Premier League and they were clearly ring-rusty, but it is difficult to get excited about them at prohibitive odds.
Benitez's team have obtained maximum points from their two league matches, although they needed late goals to overcome Sunderland and Middlesbrough respectively thanks to the individual brilliance of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.
With those two in the ranks you would assume Liverpool will have too much for the visitors and you can't help but think Liege have let slip their best chance of causing an almighty upset.
Perhaps it would have been different had Milan Jovanovic had not been injured in the first leg. The Serb scored 16 goals for the Belgian champions last season and would have thrived on the service which was flying in from all angles, particularly in the first half two weeks ago.
Jovanovic is still feeling his way back to full fitness and has not notched this season as Standard triumphed 3-0 at Dender and then beat Westerlo 3-1.
Instead it has been left to DR Congo international Mbokani Bezua to do the damage for Laszlo Boloni's team.
He has scored four goals in two outings and will clearly have to be watched by Jamie Carragher and Co.
With Jovanovic and Bezua on the pitch, Standard carry a goal threat and backing them receiving a 1.75 goal start on theAsian handicap may be one way to support the Belgian raiders.
However, the best bet may be to take the 40-1 about Marouana Fellaini scoring the first goal.
The defensive midfielder scored six league goals last term and looked so dangerous from set-pieces in the first leg.
It was Fellaini whose header hit the post and trickled along the line (some argued it should have been awarded as a goal) and he will be a major danger to the Reds.
Liverpool's zonal marking from corners and free kicks has often been criticised and the debate may be re-opened this evening.
Recommendation
M Fellaini first goalscorer, 0.5pt each-way 40-1
Matt McQueen - Liverpool 1892-1928.
Only professional to - play in goal (41 appearances), Defence, Midfield, Striker,
and later be Director and then to be Manager (winning a Championship) - at one club
or maybe singing the Torres song......as you will have heard it a few times by then
