I don't know if i want to go through now. Couldn't really stand a Liverpool v Manchester United final... my heart says yes, yet my already chewed finger nails disagree.


Team:

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

----Carragher-----Skrtel---------Hyypia--------Arbeloa----

--------------------Alonso-------Mascherano-----------------

-----Pennant-------------Gerrard------------------Kuyt------

-----------------------------Torres-----------------------------

Subs: Itandje, Riise, Lucas, Benayoun, Babel, Crouch, Voronin.


There's a small question mark over defence, with Aurelio injured. We either bring Hyypia in and go more defensive, or have Riise on the left and retain our stance of having two natural full-backs. I've gone with the former, because a) i think we should approach the game quite cautiously (well, we will, regardless of what we should do) and b) because Arbeloa owns Riise defensively, be it on the right or the left.

Then in midfield the only shock is Pennant. That's never going to happen i suspect, but i'd use him. Babel ain't going to do much, we know that - he performs when the pressures off him (which that isn't tomorrow night) or when he's coming on as a substitute. Benayoun struggles against the better sides/defences and came on at Anfield to be quite ineffective. Comparatively, Pennant has been excellent in our two recent league matches - albeit if they are against Fulham and Birmingham. He did it versus AC Milan, putting in what many claimed to be a Man of the Match display, and i've no doubt he can be a big player tomorrow. People forget or don't realise his ability because he's so inconsistent, but he is very capable. I'd start with him on the right but switch him and Kuyt around after about 10-15 minutes; Arbeloa and Pennant formed an excellent partnership early in the season on the left and should be comfortable together, as is Kuyt more comfortable on the right (showing in the first leg when he won the battle versus Ashley Cole with ease). It'd be a surprise throwing Jermaine in, one Chelsea wouldn't expect, but i see no reason why it would be a bad move.

As the game progresses, hopefully keeping it to 0-0 at least, i'd throw Babel on for Pennant around 60 minutes, as well as Riise on for Hyypia to go to two proper full-backs and pressure Chelsea more. I'm not going to shy away from Riise because of that mistake - he's mentally strong. Then nearing the end, maybe 20 minutes from time i'd sacrifice Alonso for Crouch to really go all out in order to find a goal, should we need to.

I feel like the pressures off us now after the Anfield game. I just hope we make a good go of it and even if we go out manage to score. I think the players are confident, and that's the secret around Liverpool - that everyone from manager to players to fans all have the belief that we can overcome anyone, regardless of statistics. If we go through to Moscow that will be our driving force.

We've only failed to score once in each match of this year's Champions League, including the qualification matches - scoring at least once in each and every away match also. However, i still have a niggling feeling we'll fall short once again at Stamford Bridge and crash out in an anti-climactic 0-0 draw.

But then i would never be as bold as to predict our progression.

Highy doubt Pennant will start.

I want Liverpool to win because we always beat them.

1-1 there will be some penalty series.

1-0 Chelsea

2-1 Liverpool. Fernando double or maybe throw a Gerrard penalty in there

Can't beleive on the day of such a big game, this thread has only managed 5 replies

well not a big game for me ......

Your big games ended about a month ago mate

This morning I’m feeling strangely placid, or even humble, about our match tonight. “What will be will be”… I don’t think whether we make the final or not will alter the progression made in this season, nor will the campaign become a failure. If we managed to get to Moscow after all the turbulence endured via the owners then I think it would be difficult to consider it anything other than a mammoth feat.

Of course I still hope to hell we make it, even if the fear of losing has diminished, and the opponents would be Manchester United. In fact, the latter has become an incentive. This could for all we know be the single opportunity for Liverpool and United to ever meet on the single biggest stage in club football, and you’d have to relish it. To either set of fans I think it would be the biggest match imaginable – win, and the sense of pure relief and elation would be unrivalled; lose, and the knife will meet the wrist. Also, as distasteful as our rivalry is, it would mean that Chelsea would not be getting their hands on the elite trophy, set aside for the elite teams of world football. That would be a definite, if diminutive, tonic in defeat.

The nerves have relinquished and it’s all good.

Come on Liverpool!
Torres, do something right!

Is anyone else getting a bit irritated by "Oooooooooh it's an own goal!" on SSN?

Concur, cos no matter how much money they have everyone knows really that Chelseas do not belong in that group.

Worry not, we are going to Moscow.

Lawro's prediction:



That should just about see us through...

I'm a nervous wreck right now. I don't know what to say. I'm hoping we can pull it off and go to Moscow to meet United. This should be an interesting game... First to two goals should win for either side. However, I don't think we'll se even a total of 2 goals in the entire game. I'm hoping we can get the away goal we desperately need.

COME ON Liverpool!!!!

I don't know what the score will be or how it's going to come down at regulation or through PK's. But Chelsea will advance.

*shrugs in disgusts*

The referee is german.

Chelsea haven't lost against an English club at Stamford Bridge since Febuary 2004, 102 matchs.

I know Kuyt has done well for us this season in the Champions League but i'd prefer to see Pennant take his place tonight. Kuyt sometimes gets lost in that right midfield position playing away from home and we need a pacey and more attacking player like Pennant because we need a goal. Kuyt did do well against Cole in the first leg but i can't see him getting much joy tonight without the Anfield faithful to galvanise him.

As for the left-back position Arbeloa does seem the better option but Riise has a thing for these Chelsea games... he's scored some good goals against them... and one for them.

Come on you mighty Reds!!!

Didn't Charlton beat them in the Carling cup a few years ago at Stamford bridge?