Team for Haifa

[Ryan]

-----------------REINA-----------------
FINNAN/KROMMERS--CARRA--SAMI--RIISE
GERRARD---SISSOKO---ALONSO---GONZALES
------------BELLAMY---CROUCH----------

The only possible change I could foresee to that is Sissoko being left on the bench, Gerrard shunted into the centre and Pennant on the right.

Thoughts... ?

[LFCman]

I'd agree with Pennant on the right and Momo on the bench. After all we are at home.

Nice avatar btw, who is she?

[Ryan]

The missus.

So watch it!

[LFCman]

And my name is Rafa Benitez.

[IanTheRed]

Nice avatar btw, who is she?

It's Ryan's tranny brother. Look closer and you see the tea bags.

--------------------Reina------------------
Finnan-----Hyypia-------Carragher----Aurelio
Pennant----Alonso------Sissoko--------Riise
-------------Gerrard------------------------
---------------------Bellamy----------------

Depending on Aurelio's fitness, swap for Riise & Gonzalez on the wing.

[Ryan]

It's Ryan's tranny brother. Look closer and you see the tea bags.

--------------------Reina------------------
Finnan-----Hyypia-------Carragher----Aurelio
Pennant----Alonso------Sissoko--------Riise
-------------Gerrard------------------------
---------------------Bellamy----------------

Depending on Aurelio's fitness, swap for Riise & Gonzalez on the wing.

Rafa will play Crouch Ian.

Malheureusement.

[IanTheRed]

Rafa will play Crouch Ian.

Malheureusement.

Just got a feeling it'll be Bellamy and/or Fowler instead of Crouch. They have both been back in training for 6 weeks compared to Peter's 2 and a bit. For a competitive game I think he'll go for the fitter players from the start (the essential players such as Gerrard, Alonso, Carragher et al aside of course)

[FowlerLeftFoot]

-------------Reina
Finnan--Hyypia--Carragher--Riise
----Gerrard--Sissoko--Alonso
Pennant
--------Fowler---Bellamy

I expect Rafa to use a tried and tested lineup for this match saves Pennant and Bellamy, both who performed well in friendlies. Dont think Gonzales/Aurelio/Paletta will be used in such a game of importance, coz they are not ready yet.

[Mumsafan]

Yeah Rafa will want this tie sorted tomorrow night so probably won't risk anyone who's still finding their way

[brendan]

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

Finnan--------Carra-------------Hyypia-------------Riise

Tennants-----Alonso------------Sissoko------------Gonzo

------------------------Gerrard--------------------------

------------------------Bellamy-------------------------

[Nic83]

-----------------REINA-----------------
FINNAN/KROMMERS--CARRA--SAMI--RIISE
GERRARD---SISSOKO---ALONSO---GONZALES
------------BELLAMY---CROUCH----------

The only possible change I could foresee to that is Sissoko being left on the bench, Gerrard shunted into the centre and Pennant on the right.

Thoughts... ?

Yeah, i'd go along with this. I think you're right about Pennant in for Sissoko though and possibly Fowler to start aswell.

But it looks like more or less the team.

[Peter Delvechio]

I think the team will be

.................................................R eina..............................................

Finnan.................Carragher.................. ...Hyypia..........................Riise

Gerrard.................Sissoko................... ....Alonso.........................Gonzalez

......................................Bellamy..... .........Crouch............................

I would prefer.....

.................................................R eina..............................................

Finnan.................Carragher.................. ...Hyypia..........................Riise

Pennant..................Gerrard.................A lonso.........................Gonzalez

......................................Bellamy..... .........Fowler............................

[Shaggy]

-----------------REINA-----------------
FINNAN/KROMMERS--CARRA--SAMI--RIISE
GERRARD---SISSOKO---ALONSO---GONZALES
------------BELLAMY---CROUCH----------

The only possible change I could foresee to that is Sissoko being left on the bench, Gerrard shunted into the centre and Pennant on the right.

Thoughts... ?

Fail to see how any other side, other than the two you've mentioned, could possibly be picked.

[hockin_monster]

It's a home game and we have to be positive going forward .....

..................Reina
Finnan....Carra....Hyppia.....Riise
Pennant..Gerrard..Alonso..Speedy
............Crouch...Bellamy

bench:
Zenden
Sissoko
Fowler
Anderson
Paletta
Kromkamp
Carson

Garcia and Kewell still injured I suppose?

[dww]

-----------------REINA-----------------
FINNAN/KROMMERS--CARRA--SAMI--RIISE
GERRARD---SISSOKO---ALONSO---GONZALES
------------BELLAMY---CROUCH----------

The only possible change I could foresee to that is Sissoko being left on the bench, Gerrard shunted into the centre and Pennant on the right.

Thoughts... ?

I think it will definitely the team you suggest with Finnan at RB. I suspect that Pennant will come on second half, but we will start with as close to last seasons best team as possible.

I think Sissoko is a must for games like this. We ned to dominate in midfield and build a platform from there.