Liverpool FC Forum

by **stmichael** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:20 am

Not being detrimental to Scott Carson here, but I think that Jerzy Dudek should, and probably will be restored to our starting line up come wednesday night in Turin. Carson has to apportion the blame for Juventus' goal in the first leg, and Dudek, as we all know, has had a few dodgy moments this season, not least in the last round against Bayer Leverkusen. However, in a game of this magnitude (our biggest game in three years) I think you have to go with experience. Carson is certainly a great prospect for the future but in such a hostile atmosphere I think he might struggle a bit. Dudek on the other hand has been playing in these sort of atmospheres for years. There was a fair few, including myself, who were a bit surprised that Dudek didn't play in the first leg, but apparently the reason for that was he couldn't even kick the ball properly. Even if this is still the case now I would still play him. You would just get him to throw the ball out at every opportunity and get someone like Sami Hyypia to take the goal kicks.

It's gonna be an uphill task we know that, yet I'm quite confident that we can go through, as long as we believe in ourselves and what we are capable of. Ok, granted, our form this season has been in and out (as proven by the contrast between the first leg and saturday) but if we can get over this hurdle, it could be key for the morale for the rest of the season. Of course, the away goal automatically means that most people have Juventus down as favourites as a 1-0 win will do for them, but the tag of "underdogs" will suit us fine. We have already shown that we are a side who more often than not rise to the big occasion e.g. Olympiakos, Arsenal, Everton to name a few. Where as teams such as Arsenal absolutely annahilate weaker sides but come unstuck against the big sides, we have been the opposite.

There have been rumours today that Stevie G might miss the game with a groin injury which is a little concerning, but even without him I don't think it's the end of the world as we can still field a tough midfield. Hell we've got this far with Gerrard not playing in the majority of the games anyway. He missed three group games through injury (including a 1-0 win in Deportivo). He was also suspended for the first leg against Leverkusen yet we still took them apart. If he doesn't make it then it looks like Xabi Alonso has timed his return from injury just right. For me, if Xabi is fit he must play.

Infact you can probably guarantee that it'll be back to the 4-5-1 formation. It'll be up to the likes of Garcia, Stevie and Nunez to get up and support Milan. The tactic must be to stay solid in the early stages and break quickly whenever possible. Sitting back and surrendering the majority of possession would be simply suicide because their playmakers will eventually open us up.

Garcia has been playing extremely well recently. His goal in the first leg was truly outstanding and everyone is raving about him. However, to me he still has an awful lot to prove. Flashes of inspiration are well and good but we will now see whether he has the heart for a battle aswell. The same for Nunez if he plays. Hopefully this sort of challenge will bring the best out of them.

Of course Gerrard and Carragher will also be key. Carra has been nothing short of outstanding all season. On current form he'd walk in the England side if he didn't unfortunately have the likes of Ferdinand, Terry and Campbell in his position aswell. Gerrard, who by his own admission has been inconsistent this season, needs to pull out the sort of performance he produced in Leverkusen (which was probably the best game I've ever seen him play). One thing is for sure, if the others can match these two "local lads" desire to win, then we have a decent chance in my opinion.

It is possible. We have to believe. Hell, even manure went there in 1999, went 2-0 down and came back to win 3-2. I don't expect anything as dramatic as that (for the sake of my health) but if we can keep our shape, focus and don't allow ourselves to be fazed, then a famous victory is possible.

And finally, for any fans who may dare to go there, your behaviour on the night must be beyond reproach, whatever the provocation. We saw what some of their fans were like last week. A lot of them are still very bitter.

The whole world will be watching. Lets just hope it is a night to remember for all the right reasons, mainly a liverpool win.

YNWA

by **The Canadian Red Army** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 12:25 pm

stmichael wrote:Not being detrimental to Scott Carson here, but I think that Jerzy Dudek should, and probably will be restored to our starting line up come wednesday night in Turin. Carson has to apportion the blame for Juventus' goal in the first leg, and Dudek, as we all know, has had a few dodgy moments this season, not least in the last round against Bayer Leverkusen. However, in a game of this magnitude (our biggest game in three years) I think you have to go with experience. Carson is certainly a great prospect for the future but in such a hostile atmosphere I think he might struggle a bit. Dudek on the other hand has been playing in these sort of atmospheres for years. There was a fair few, including myself, who were a bit surprised that Dudek didn't play in the first leg, but apparently the reason for that was he couldn't even kick the ball properly. Even if this is still the case now I would still play him. You would just get him to throw the ball out at every opportunity and get someone like Sami Hyypia to take the goal kicks.

I think experience is good to put into a position like this. I dont think putting him in when hes unfit is good, and will affect his whole game. It will be definately a costly move trying to go for a save when your thigh and calf muscles are inflamed and sore. A practice is one thing, but this as you said this is the biggest game in 3 years for us. I think throwing him in there would be dangerous.
The atmosphere will be very harsh at Turin, but as a keeper you just have to focus on the game. Carson would do a much better job at holding the fort down infront of the net, instead of an unfit Dudek. Its rafas call and we will just have to see.

by **Leonmc0708** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 12:32 pm

stmichael wrote:There was a fair few, including myself, who were a bit surprised that Dudek didn't play in the first leg, but apparently the reason for that was he couldn't even kick the ball properly. Even if this is still the case now I would still play him. You would just get him to throw the ball out at every opportunity and get someone like Sami Hyypia to take the goal kicks.

Are you joking?

by **7_Kewell** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 12:40 pm

i wouldn't risk him if he's not 100%....but i'm confident about wednesday, we will go into the game winning and if we can get an early goal i think that will really put us ina great position!

by **stmichael** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 3:06 pm

7_Kewell wrote:i'm confident about wednesday, we will go into the game winning

no sh#t

by **Roger Red Hat** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 3:52 pm

I've gotta agree with Leon here, leave a fit goalkeeper on the bench and play an injured one against a team like Juve??? Are you the Juve. manager in disguise??

by **LFC #1** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 3:56 pm

besides, depsite the mistake Carson made agiant Juve I think he has done wll in the Juve and City games, give the lad a chance.

by **Iceman69** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 4:40 pm

if Juve score first, im gonna hold my head in my hands for the rest of the game!

Whoever scores first here is crucial for the outcome.

If they score, they get confident and have the upper hand.

if we score, they need 3.

I just hope we go forward early and try to get a goal.

I think its very important we get a goal there.

and dont play le tallec too, would be a bonus. Not having a go, its just that he offers nothing whatsoever. Its like starting the grand national with a lame horse.

by **MilitiaRusher** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 4:43 pm

i dont see how a lineup without gerrard's presense, without hamann's defensive reliability, and only with a half fit alonso partnering biscan would do any good in an away European night.

by **Leonmc0708** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 5:30 pm

Iceman69 wrote:Whoever scores first here is crucial for the outcome.

Thanks for that one Einstein . . .

by **Ciggy** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 5:44 pm

Iceman69 wrote:and dont play le tallec too, would be a bonus. Not having a go, its just that he offers nothing whatsoever. Its like starting the grand national with a lame horse.

le Tallec had an excellent game at anfield against Juve last week.

by **Dalglish** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 5:54 pm

cisses_gona_get_ya wrote:
Iceman69 wrote:and dont play le tallec too, would be a bonus. Not having a go, its just that he offers nothing whatsoever. Its like starting the grand national with a lame horse.

le Tallec had an excellent game at anfield against Juve last week.

Our "friend" thinks Le Tellac did nothing last Tuesday, haven't you heard.

In fact Le Tellac was probably one of the top 3 LFC players on the night (Gerrard and Hyp[pia) being my other choices but there you go , the game is full of opinions. Seems to me however that Iceman comes in at the extreme end of the opinion scale

The prognosis for Wednesday isn't good but we have gone into games before with key players missing and won through so lets get behind the lads and hope for a memorable result and night in Turin

by **Ciggy** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 5:55 pm

Are you going Ian?

by **JBG** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 7:50 pm

cisses_gona_get_ya wrote:
Iceman69 wrote:and dont play le tallec too, would be a bonus. Not having a go, its just that he offers nothing whatsoever. Its like starting the grand national with a lame horse.

le Tallec had an excellent game at anfield against Juve last week.

Proof, if any was needed, that this guy is the Hustler.

He knows zilch about football.

Only children think that in order to play well you have to have loads of touches on the ball.

by **bedlovedays** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 4:11 pm

Iceman69 wrote:if Juve score first, im gonna hold my head in my hands for the rest of the game!

Whoever scores first here is crucial for the outcome.

If they score, they get confident and have the upper hand.

if we score, they need 3.

I just hope we go forward early and try to get a goal.

I think its very important we get a goal there.

and dont play le tallec too, would be a bonus. Not having a go, its just that he offers nothing whatsoever. Its like starting the grand national with a lame horse.

this is the most obtuse post i've ever read,,,,,
r u like that on purpose?

thanks for stating the obvious,,,

Le Tallec has a good head on his shoulders and can pass well,, more than we can say for our friend baros,, or u for that matter

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