Vital we get the win on sunday - wonder who will play, i assume aagerrard is still out and is xabi suspended ?
Yes Xabi is suspended for this match. Even if Stevie G is fit I am sure Rafa would rest him with Tuesday's game in mind. BENITEZ CALLS FOR CITY FOCUS Rafa Benitez has called on his Liverpool players to put any thoughts of Real Madrid to the backs of their minds and concentrate solely on Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester City. The Reds head to the Spanish capital next week to take on the nine-times European Cup winners in the first-leg of the last 16 of the Champions League. However, with City travelling to Anfield this weekend, Benitez wants his team to retain their full focus on domestic matters for the time being. "The main thing for us right now is the game against Manchester City – that is very clear," said the Reds boss. "This game has to be the priority because it is in the Premier League and we are in a good position and want to take three points. "We have three days after we have played City in which we can look forward to Madrid but for now our focus must only be on the league." The Liverpool squad resumed training at Melwood today after two days off following the international break and Benitez feels the rest will have done his players good as they prepare to enter the final third of the season. He said: "It was important for us that in our last game before the break we managed to get a win against Portsmouth because it is always good to produce a positive result in such situations. "Some of the players have been away with their countries since then and we have also had some time off with the break so this should mean that they will return with more energy. "We are in a good position and our confidence is high, now we must look to build on what we have done."
Totally forgot Xabi was suspended. Probably Lucas and Masch in midfield, a combination with which I don;t think we have a good record.
Didnt realise Xabi was suspended, I hope Lucas dosent figure? Cant see Stvie G being back, we still need the win.
Be fairly surprised if Insua plays. Rafa was only talking the other day about him possibly needing a rest having come back from the u-20 WC
They will miss Dunne at the back alrite. City have a sh!te away record and have only won 1 all season and drawn 4 losing 7 times. Could do with a convincing win against these with Torres on the scoresheet again
Pretty sure Lucas will play in this game as we have no Gerrard or Alonso. Possibly Reina Arbeloa Carra Skrtel Aurelio Masch Lucas Kuyt Benayoun Riera Torres This will be our game in hand on the mancs when we play and we're likely to be 8 points behind before kick off
Yes plus i hope their 2 brazilians show the same hunger they showed down in pompey rather than the way they turned it on in the friendly against Italy.
Didn't Rafa say something about Insua playing at centre back for the u20's and that he might not be as tired as he would have been if playing left back? Insua could be a possibility
Huge huge game on the back of United playing twice before we do play City.... We will see how those results work out before we play...# Preferred lineup: ------------------------Reina------------------- Arbeloa----------Carra--------Skrtel-----Insua--- Kuyt----------Mascherano----Aurelio----Riera---- ----------------------Yossi---------------------- ---------------------Torres----------------------
Probably stick with Aurelio in the centre had a good game against Pompey and Dossena and Insua will battle for the Lb spot dont think Insua has it secured! Stevie G will prob be on the bench and come off if needed but hopefully we wont nrrd him and he can rest for Madrid GK.Reina RB.Arbeloa CB.Skrtel CB.Carra LB.Dossena RM.Yossi CM.Aurelio CM.Mach LM.Riera AM.Babel ST.Torres doesnt look strong with Aurelio and Mach in the centre no real attck there but hopefullt Yossi Riera and Babel could make up for that! And that Babel will be more interested!!
Depends on which City team show up, at times they can be amazing and woeful at others. Crucial game is right, hopefully the mancs will drop something in the next 2, i think Fulham will give em a good run
Great time to be playing city at the moment, they are dreadful away from home , think i read they have 1 away win in 13?. and all sorts goin on around the club etc. They seem to just loose interest away from home but they can get themselves out of trouble to as they scored 2 late ones away at blackburn for a draw. That said tho we have to win sunday, we cannot afford anymore draws and loose more ground on united.
think this will be a very tight game,city not playing well away but will stil fancy there chances!!fancy 2-1 myself!!!!yossi and torres to get on the scoresheet
Rafa has said on LFCtv that our captain could be on the bench at the weekend and he will play against Real Madrid.