Liverpool FC Forum

by **Toffeehater** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 4:45 pm

Owzat wrote:We lost at home to Marseille, I don't think we should be getting complacent or talking about "formalities"

, have to agree with this , never underestimate any team . Look at rangers , such a big club , they got knocked out

--------------------------------------------------------------

Despite picking up a knock against Norwegians Valerenga, Steven Gerrard will board the plane to Belgium for Liverpool’s Champions League tie.

It was feared the midfielder may miss the vital game but Rafael Benitez has confirmed he will travel with the squad, whilst Skrtel and Aurelio will continue to train in Liverpool: “I was talking with him this morning and he will go with us to Belgium”.

Although the team should defeat the Belgian Champions with few problems, it’s always reassuring to have such an influential player possibly available.

The game which takes place on Wednesday will be the first of two legs, with the return leg at Anfield.

Written by admin · Filed Under News
http://www.tcaa.tv/home/11/08/2008/gerrard-will-make-belgium-trip/

by **Toffeehater** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 4:47 pm

Reina
Finnan Agger Carragher Dossena

Plessis Alonso
Kuyt Yossi

Torres Keane

Keane to score :nod

by **lewerty** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 7:23 pm

skertel is injured

by **stapo1000** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 9:41 pm

i cant see alonso playing against standard, rafa keeps hinting at him leaving and as long as the barry saga is resolved neither will the alonso situation be. it seems as tho rafa wants barry in and xabi out unfortunately and both our and villa's european games this week willl give us a big hint as to where the 2 players be next season. big mistake letting xabi go

by **RedBlood** » Mon Aug 11, 2008 11:36 pm

Skrtels injuried....hmmmmmmmmmmm

then id bring in Arebola & put carra back in centre

by **Toffeehater** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 7:35 am

Rafael Benitez ready to risk Steven Gerrard in Euro clash

Aug 12 2008 by Nick Smith, Liverpool Daily Post
Rafa Benitez and Steven Gerrard

Rafa Benitez and Steven Gerrard

RAFAEL BENITEZ is ready to risk Steven Gerrard in his attempts to secure qualification for the Champions League group stages.

The Liverpool manager has been hampered in his preparations for tomorrow’s third qualifying round tie at Standard Liege and faces a crippling midfield shortage.

Gerrard is struggling to shake off a thigh strain while Benitez is still being foiled in his attempts to sign Gareth Barry after the club admitted they wouldn’t meet Aston Villa’s asking price.

And the absence of Javier Mascherano and Lucas will continue into next week as they have both helped Argentina and Brazil, respectively, to reach the quarter-finals of the Olympics football tournament in Beijing.

That means the only fully fit central midfielders available are Xabi Alonso and Damien Plessis – who has looked impressive in pre-season but only has two first team appearances to his name and none in Europe.

With a tricky away leg looming against the Belgian champions, Benitez is giving his captain every chance to prove his fitness and he will fly out with the squad this morning.

“I was talking with him this morning and he will go with us to Belgium,” said Benitez.

“He is progressing really well but we will check after training. I will speak with the doctor and with Steven and then decide.”

Being backed into that position will only increase Benitez’s frustration as he faces up to kicking off the Premier League season at Sunderland on Saturday without Barry in the squad.

He wants to concentrate on the Liege tie in the next two days but after tomorrow’s game he is set to seek further talks with American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks regarding the direction of his transfer business in the remainder of the window.

But another nail in the coffin of the Barry deal could be struck by Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill on Thursday if he plays his skipper in the UEFA Cup

Villa to take on Icelandic side FH Hafnarfjordur in the second qualifying round and an appearance by Barry would leave him cup-tied for the Champions League group stages.

O’Neill said: “He’s our player and though things could change, if Gareth is still our player on Wednesday morning, he’s as good a chance of climbing on the bus as anybody.”

The uncertainty surrounding Barry’s status has disrupted Villa’s preparations and with O’Neill keen to see a conclusion to the saga, dropping his £18million valuation remains an outside possibility.

It is the only way Liverpool will be able to now complete the signing of Barry, who still remains set on a move to Anfield.

Meanwhile, Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio and Philip Degen won’t be joining Gerrard on the flight to Belgium as injuries picked up in pre-season rule them out of the Standard Liege tie.

“Martin and Fabio are training with us but they will stay here,” added Benitez.

“They are not ready for this game but hopefully both will be available for the weekend.

“Philip isn’t training with us yet and is a little behind the other two.”

Another defender, Miki Roque, has gone on loan to Spanish side Futbol Club Cartagena for the rest of the season.

http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpo....1514206

by **109-1218458338** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 9:23 am

hopefully it'll be a 4-0 at least!

by **Owzat** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 12:20 pm

moreinjuredthanowen wrote:hopefully it'll be a 4-0 at least!

I would have thought if we went 2-0 up that we'd settle for it and not risk conceding a goal by being too adventurous. After all 2-0 away would be almost job done

by **66-1112520797** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 1:21 pm

stmichael wrote:Well yet another CL campaign kicks off on Wednesday night against the Belgian champions, who have just won their domestic league for the first time in 25 years. An away goal is vital but whatever the case we should have too much for this lot over two legs.

Is Gerrard fit by the way? If he is I think we'll see something like this.

Reina

Arbeloa Carra Agger Dossena

Kuyt Gerrard Alonso Benayoun

Torres Keane

This will also be the team that starts at Sunderland imo. I f Gerrard isn't fully fit then there's absolutely no point in risking him and I'm more than happy to see Plessis in the centre of midfield.

I'm going for a 2-0 win.

Hey Mike dont worry about formation.

Havent you heard we're the new age Brasil.

Says ole mate with his UEFA badge :laugh:

And thinks we need Ashton, Woodgate oh and we've got another one of his famous 'pat myself on the back tips' Pennant. Dear God. :no

by **109-1218458338** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:01 pm

true a 2-0 will be great but i'd love us to kill them off and send a statement. but of course too many lads get carried away and would think we'll win a quadruple based on one game v st. leige!

by **redactionsudpresse** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:35 pm

Everyone knows the incredible atmosphere among the Liverpool supporters.

But tomorrow, the Reds will fight the "Rouches" of the Standard.

But, who are those supporters ? How do they behave ?

Discover it clicking here !

Hope the best one will win

by **The Manhattan Project** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:40 pm

Don't care about the score, as long as we win the tie.

by **Ola Mr Benitez** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:48 pm

Can't believe Aurellio is injured again... He is the new Harry Kewell!!

by **LFC3409** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 4:30 pm

I'd like to see Nemeth get a run out in the second leg providing we get a good 3 or 4 nill lead in the first! :;):

by **Fo Dne** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 5:26 pm

Liverpool FC Forum

STANDARD LIEGE VS LIVERPOOL - CL 3rd Qualifying round 1st leg

Who is online