After a very poor performance I reckon we will win
.Liverpool revel in Monaco crisis 21/11/04
Liverpool may be crippled by injuries to their front-line strikers, but they can take heart that they will be facing a Monaco side on Tuesday in the Champions League in disarray themselves.
Beaten 3-1 at home by Sochaux on Friday evening, they were branded ``a disgrace'' by their own skipper Gael Givet.
Last season's Champions League finalists have now gone eight Ligue 1 matches without a victory.
Chairman Michel Pastor has personally confronted his underachieving players, while those worried stars have held their own internal clear-the-air showdown.
An exasperated Givet said: ``I find it hard to find the words to express my feelings, we were a disgrace. We will have to review the situation and ask ourselves a lot of questions.
``I do not understand what is happening to us at the moment, but we need to bounce back very soon. Certainly against Liverpool.''
For Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez - without his two main strikers Djibril Cisse and Milan Baros - signs of problems at Monaco must be some comfort as he attempts to engineer the win that will take the Anfield men into the next phase.
He may have to do it with rookie striker Neil Mellor in the side as he searches for reliable striking combinations until the transfer window allows him to bring in reinforcements.
For Mellor it is a great chance to make his mark. Particularly with the fact that this time last season he could not even get on the bench while on loan at West Ham for a mundane league game with Watford.
He was linked with a #500,000 move to Sheffield United this week before Baros suffered his injury playing for the Czech Republic, but his representative Mick McGuire insists Mellor is happy to stay at Liverpool and is focusing on impressing Benitez.
He said: ``We have had no notification of any bid from Sheffield United. I have discussed the situation with Neil and he is keen to pursue his career at Liverpool.
``These injury problems at the club are a big chance for him to establish himself with the new manager.
``Neil has two more years to run on his contract and the club showed they rate him highly as when he went on loan last season they gave him a one-year extension.
``A player like Neil is always going to be in demand as he scores regularly for the reserves, but he is focusing on getting in the first team and making it hard for the manager to leave him out.''
Benitez may decide Mellor is too raw for the Champions League and could opt to play Harry Kewell alone up front and pack his midfield with five experienced men.
But as he makes up his mind, the trials and tribulations for Monaco may bring at least a smile to his constantly worried face.
saviola is going to pose a big threat tho, our defence better get there act together A.S.A.P
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