No alonso, agger or torres again. If I see masch and momo in CM i will actually cry. Think Dirk should be dropped and Crouch allowed to play. I think this will really test Rafa's metal as a manager. He has pulled out some amazing results but there is also a tendency to get things ridiculously wrong. Due to the circumstances he actually _needs_ to win this game, no other result will do. No penalties, no second leg and the two remaining games won't be enough. I think we can do it. But given the players confidence I think it will be a hallmark match of us dominating possession without doing anything useful and them sneaking a goal in the last 10 minutes with rafa going "we had chances" at the end of the match.
I can't see any slip up in this one to be honest, you'll see a completely different Besiktas team away from home, and I can see us coming away with a three goal win from this...
I can see Rafa sending out a real attacking team for this one also. He has to go for it early on and get a goal in the first 20min to settle the nerves and from then on it should be easier for them. Just out of curiosity, where are people watching this one? I'm working up in Dublin on Tue & Wed so staying over so I'll probably go to the Tram. I'll have a scouser work colleague with me although he claims to be from Cheshire and is a Newcastle fan, so I want to show him the error of his ways so bringing him to the Tram to see the atmosphere. Last time I was there was the CL semi last year.
LOL The Tram is probably a good destination if your looking for pints and a bit of a crowd, good spot by all accounts. As luck would have it, I'm off to this one so won't be pinting in Dublin on the night. Can't help but agree with comments above, we need to win this and win it in style .. we need a 2 or 3 nill result, something which is going to take a lot of hard work & imho, is up to Rafa to grind out of the players available. Remember lads, we didn't have Torres playing for us when we won the CL, or got to the finals etc
Agreed, different besiiktas, and a different liverpool. I fancy us big time, win by three clear goals
just hoping rafa doesnt put only one up front we dont gotta a choice we have to win this one. fingers crossed besiiktas do stick to there usual away style. would be a great boost for the team and fans if we won this by 3goals
reina arbeloa carra hypia aurelio yossi lucas masch kewell Gerrard Crouch I think gerrards form is starting to pick up again and crouch has been doing really well when asked. Also Lucas is leagues ahead of momo and masch in terms of passing. I'd like to see a left side of aurelio and kewell although its doubtful to see both play due to match fitness but definitely better and more creative than what we have at the moment until leto and babel fully settle.
Big pressure on us tomorrow nite to win. Think we can if we can improve our attacking play and take our chances in front of goal.....
we have to go for it right from the start, get the ball out wide and whip it in for big crouchie, i think kewell will start this one he looked sharp when he came on saturday, go all out attack for me
we have to ask questions of the turks defence from the start two up front please rafa with one being crouch if we put 3 or more past them if will do wonders for team confidence
I'd like to see: Reina Arbeloa Carra Hyypia Riise Youssi Masch Gerrard Kewell Crouch Kuyt I'd like to see 2 up front tonight. I'd defo have Crouch start but who partners him is anyones guess. I reckon Rafa will go with Kuyt as per usual. Like to see Stevie makin the burstin runs from the MC position and let Masch take care of the defensive side of things. Finnan hasnt been on top form at all this year but I wanna see him get back to his usual self again soon. I have a sneaky 5euro on Sami to score 1st. He's due a change in fortune, he's been getting plenty of shooting practice lately so I reckon he's gonna score a header from a corner kick tonight. 20/1 not a bad return eh? Come on the Pool.... time to get the season back on track.
If Crouch doesn't start tonight there's probably a very good reason, no need for aiming that tripe at Rafa.
Right, off out to watch the match very optimistic, heres hoping for a good performance and a few goals get us back on track( Crouchy 1st goal). Enjoy the game all, hope its a forum in better heart at 9-30. YNWA