Liverpool vs Porto

A succession of three unlikey results and uncharacteristically poor European performances meant Liverpool needed three successive results and performances of the entirely opposite nature.

The first of the necessary wins was out of the way weeks ago, but now we must take advantage and force a finale two weeks from now.

I still maintain that the toughest of the matches was at home to Besiktas, regardless of what they may appear. That was where we either made a u-turn or were eliminated - our form prior was diabolical, and we needed to rectify it. If we didn't, we'd be out (if not then, then later). We did that in emphatic fashion and now we're in a position to get at Porto in full confidence. Turning it around was the tricky bit.

Porto are a very good side, easily the best of themselves, Marseille and Besiktas. A pacey attack will be their threat - but let's not forget, they failed to beat us in dire form when on their own soil, so what is there for us to fear? Especially with ourselves in a much improved state.

My team:

--------------------------Reina--------------------------

-----Finnan-----Carragher-----Agger--------Arbeloa-----

-----Babel-------Gerrard----Mascherano-----Kewell-----

--------------------Torres-------Crouch-------------------

Subs: Itandje, Hyypia, Riise, Leiva, Benayoun, Kuyt, Voronin.


Same back four as against Newcastle. It'll be a difficult choice on deciding between Agger and Hyypia, but because of Porto's pace and the fact it was Hyypia's lack of it that let them in last time around, i've gone for Agger. I'm sure he's fit so as long as he can get up to speed he'll be fine. It's a big ask, but one i'm sure he's equal to. Aurelio misses out for the same reasons as Newcastle - i think Arbeloa and Finnan are a more solid combination. Also, i chose against Riise, which had a hand in my decision for Fabio (i like the two playing together).

Against Newcastle we had a little surprise in Leiva and Sissoko, but they will most likely depart. The thing that really hindered us in Portugal was both the central midfielders having a very poor game - Gerrard's moved on incredibly since then, and is in good form. Along with the consistent Mascherano i fully expect us to boss this match this time around. Although i've constantly agreed that Babel is no winger, i'm in two minds now - he isn't a left winger, but on the right he has potential. With Pennant out and Benayoun suspect fitness-wise, it's either choose Babel or push Gerrard out and have an inexperienced partner for Mascherano in the middle. I did have Riise no the left, but i opted for Crouch in attack and hence thought Kewell would be much better with his crossing.. he had a good showing against Newcastle too.

We had a torrid time a few months back against the same outfit, yet one free-kick produced havoc and a goal. Their weakness seems to be in the air and hence having Crouch there (who seems to have improved somewhat in the air) would be difficult for them to contain. Torres too is a great header of the ball and will likely start - although i did ponder having Voronin in there, for two reasons: that he is playing excellently recently and also because i was unsure of pairing Torres and Crouch together. I'm prepared to take the risk though. And think Voronin can come on later, should we be ahead, to provide Porto with a difficult time. He'll work tirelessly and make keeping the ball difficult for them. Torres needs to get off the mark in Europe as well.

I think that is a fantastic team. We will clearly have the onus to attack and Porto will find it difficult to defend against us - Gerrard and Kewell are excellent at scything through defences with balls to Torres; both strikers are competent in the air, with the full-backs and Kewell being very good deliverers of the ball; Crouch can have the ball played into feet too, to lay off for Babel, Gerrard, Kewell and Torres; Babel is also always a goal threat with not only his fierce shot, but also his dribbling. Whether they defend deep or pressing, we'll always have an outlet to score.. which is what we must do.

My score: 2-0

Fernando to bounce back from the Newcastle game with his first and second Champions League goal's as he guides us to an enthralling finale.

COME ON Liverpool

PORTO PORTO PORTO PORTO PORTO PORTO....

Come on lads you's can beat the shite here.... They were VERY lucky in the last game Liverpool were.










RAFFA out chants could be heard on this night....

error

if Liverpool draws or loses is out?

i hope pool can win ~ although only 1-0 victory [but preferable 3++ goals ~ lol] ~ because i want all english teams to go through the next round XD
come on pool ~ kuyt!! hahaha

my favourite team would be:
REINA
FINNAN CARRA AGGER ARBELOA
BENAYOUN GERRARD MASCHERANO KEWELL
BABEL TORRES

I wanna see the partnership torres babel up front..
C'mon Rafa, let them play together!!!!

Yes.

Agger and Alonso still not passed fit. I think Crouch and Torres should lead the frontline.

---------Reina--------------

Arbeloa-Carra-Hyypia-Aurelio

Babel-Gerrard-Masch-Kewell

-----Crouch---Torres---------

Aurelio in for a more attacking formation. Crosses from him and Arbeloa down the right will be important.

i think babel's like a midfielder -.-?
would it be like 4-5-1 then?

He can play as a striker too.

I'd love to see Liverpool knocked out, but I tip them to win this 2-0.

He's typically a striker but because we're lacking on the left-winger he's featured there too (where he played in parts for Ajax). He'll eventually become a striker i'm sure, given time and opportunities.

Oh, and i've realised we don't have to win to go through.

We must match or better Marseille's result, so to keep the gap between ourselves and them at 3 points. Then a victory in France would achieve progression on head-to-head basis (or goal difference, should the game be 1-0). Seeing as Marseille (who aren't particularly great, despite their win over us) are playing in Besiktas, where Porto only managed a late winner themselves, there's every chance of an upset. We shouldn't rely on this though.

Also, if we beat Porto and drew with Marseille, a Besiktas win against the Portuguese outfit would send us through on head-to-heads. Given that they'd be at home though, i seriously wouldn't put our hopes on this eventuality.

We wouldn't be down and out if we didn't beat Porto, but it wouldn't look great - even if the first possibility is foreseeable. Realistically, if we are to progress we must beat Marseille away though.

Do you know how Benayoun's coming on yeekiat? Him and Agger were in contention for Saturday's game but i haven't heard anything since.

Agree with both points here... If they do go out though

Surely Benitez will be out on his ear if he goes out early in the CL & fails to win anything this year.

And you beat me to that post... exactly what I thought.

-waits for shock result-

It'd be laughable if he went out with the basis being partly on 3 dire games.

But yes, he probably would if he came back trophyless. Even if your point is random.

agree too
a draw could be appropriate

There's so much riding on this game, a draw or defeat are unthinkable! The Liverpool fans will be out in force tonight to show their support for Rafa but If we get anything less than a win the pressure on Rafa will be huge from Gillett and Hicks, also from the media who seem to relish the chance to get a manager sacked. But my prediction is we should be ok, maybe with a 2-0 win.

The tactics will be pretty much the same as the Besiktas game, the first 20 minutes will be high-tempo with us hitting Porto hard whenever they're in possession. We'll be pushing for goals all game as Porto can hurt us with the quality they have, especially with Quaresma in their team. We need a two goal cussion throughout this game as to make sure Porto don't produce that bit of quality and come up with a goal.

Come on Rafa's Redmen!

Gerrard Out!

Turns out, Porto haven't won in England in the Champions League, and we haven't beaten a Portuguese team in the Champions League (i think that's right anyway). Something's got to give..

Not really.... Ever heard of a draw?

Ps... If you's are getting beat at all during the game don't be too affraid of being on your own... I'll be right here if you need someone!