Liverpool FC Forum

Steven Gerrard may be thrust into a forward role in Sofia tomorrow as Rafa Benitez looks to compensate for the loss of Peter Crouch.
Crouch's hamstring problem kept him on Merseyside as the rest of the squad headed to Bulgaria today.

Benitez is expected to favour a more cautious approach in the tricky first leg, with Xabi Alonso paired with Didi Hamann or Momo Sissoko, allowing Gerrard to play the roaming role which proved so significant in the second half of the Champions League final.

Having handed Fernando Morientes a vote of confidence in the face of pre-season criticism, Benitez must decide whether to back the Spanish striker to lead the line or persist with Djibril Cisse.
Milan Baros has been surprisingly included in the travelling party, despite his imminent departure as the chase for his signature hots up.

Baros was called up following a series of injuries, but is unlikely to play unless there are more problems over the next 24 hours. Bolo Zenden was withdrawn due to a slight muscle strain, joining Crouch, Djimi Traore, Harry Kewell and Florent SinamaPongolle and Neil Mellor on the injured list.

AB, youve quoted something but said nothing??

AB, riise made 4 decent crosses during the champs league final, one of which resulted in a goal from the head of the mercurial stevie gerrard, so i dont understand you point??

i was talking aerial crosses (4), along the ground daisy cutters (11), thru balls (3)

harry kewell cant manage one at all. i think you mean kewell and not riise AB!!

i know you lioke your facts n all, but i was in istanbul (ataturk stadium in the north stand), and riise was great. perhaps if you go to some of the matches you'd have a better grasp on quality issues!!

before riise came to liverpool, there were serious interest from fulham, manure and arsenal for his services, so he cant be that bad a player.

could you imagine riise at 80 years of age crossing the ball , hopefully we will fill his boots before then