What starting XI do you think Rafa will use against Arsenal in the CC?

[AFII]

I wouldn't use our strongest XI even that we lost the last game. Some of our players like Alonso, Finnan, Kuyt and Gerrard need a break.

---------------Dudek
Peltier-----Hyypia---Paletta---Warnock
---------------Carra
Pennant-------Guthrie---------Aurelio
-----------Fowler---Bellamy/Crouch

[anfieldanfield]

It's our best chance of a trophy.

Rafa should play the strongest side he's got.

[bazza76]

It's our best chance of a trophy.

Rafa should play the strongest side he's got.

Id give two or three youngsters a chance, but the rest would be our strongest.
Id at the very least have them on the bench.

[Guest]

It's our best chance of a trophy.

Rafa should play the strongest side he's got.

Our priority remains the league and the champions league. The league cup is just a breeding ground for youngsters.

Arsenal will field a reserve team tomorrow and it should be fun putting our strongest eleven for them as sparring partners.

[MrMichael]

Reina absolutely must play for starters. I don't think we can rest players for this game, one advantage with going out of the FA cup so early is that we will get a couple of Saturdays off in the coming months anyway. Psychologically and sensibly, we really must give ourselves the best chance of winning this game.

[Shaggy]

It's our best chance of a trophy.

Rafa should play the strongest side he's got.

I wouldn’t go with our absolute strongest side, but you have a point. We’re at the business end of this competition and it’ll be a good one to win, given the teams left in it…like Wycombe.

My side would be:

Reina (**** promises, Rafa)

Finnan
Carragher
Hyypia
Aurelio

Pennant
Gerrard
Alonso
Gonzalez

Bellamy
Crouch

Subs: Dudek, Agger, Garcia, Kuyt, Fowler.

[tomasjj]

I think we will field:

Dudek
Finnan
Sami
Agger
Aurelio
Pennant
Alonso
Gerrard
Gonzalez
Bellamy
Fowler...but probs Kuyt

[The_weatherman]

I wouldn't use our strongest XI even that we lost the last game. Some of our players like Alonso, Finnan, Kuyt and Gerrard need a break.

---------------Dudek
Finnan-----Carra---Agger---Aurelio

Pennant----Xabi--Stevie----Gonzo
------------Kuyt---Bellamy---------

Doubt Warnock will play, isn´t he off? Also doubt Rafa will rest both Stevie and Xabi and I think they´ll both play, Riise will not play however so I guess it will be Aurelio and Gonzalez down the left. Carra and Agger in defence since we don´t want to be slaughtered. Finnan will also play since Pennant or Garcia can´t defend very well.

[The_weatherman]

Reina (**** promises, Rafa)

I´m not sure if that´s wise with regards to morale

[Ryan_Derrick]

Dudek
Petlier-Hyypia-Carra-Aurelio
Pennant-Gerrard-Alonso-Gonzales
Crouch-Fowler

Subs:
Martin
Paletta
Garcia
Bellamy
Guthrie

[AFII]

I will be very surprised if Dudek doesn't play. Peltier deserves to get a chance again after his good performance in the last round.

[Parm]

I will be very surprised if Dudek doesn't play. Peltier deserves to get a chance again after his good performance in the last round.

[Neil Young]

I will be very surprised if Dudek doesn't play. Peltier deserves to get a chance again after his good performance in the last round.

Bascombe in the Echo:

Benitez will be reassessing his priorities today ahead of the return of Arsenal in the Carling Cup, but he's confirmed Jerzy Dudek will keep his place.


"I made a promise to Jerzy and I must keep it," said Benitez.

[SouthAfricaRed]

I wouldn't use our strongest XI even that we lost the last game. Some of our players like Alonso, Finnan, Kuyt and Gerrard need a break.

---------------Dudek
Peltier-----Hyypia---Paletta---Warnock
---------------Carra
Pennant-------Guthrie---------Aurelio
-----------Fowler---Bellamy/Crouch

The only changes I can see to your team is Aurelio at LB and Gonzalez at LM and Alonso/Gerrard each getting a half in place of Carra. Warnock will come on as a sub for Gonzalez and Aurelio will move to LM.

Personally I hope Arsenal win this one. It will cause fixture congestion for them and make their challenge in EPL less of a threat. Their squad looks very suspect to injury problems

[Fan65]

I made a promise to Jerzy and I must keep it," said Benitez.

Remember John Bond ..." I promise results not promises"