Let's have 'em.....the Barca build up thread

[anfieldanfield]

Eto'o refused to come tonight as he's not confident about his injury. Messi got 15 min though and Ronnie scored 2 great goals and should've had a hattrick.

For the record, I wonder how Arbeloa has done against Ronnie in the past?

Barca were superb tonight, Ronaldinho was electric and Messi showed glimpses of what he's capable of.

On the plus side for us, Eto'o didn't play, he's obviously still very concerned about his injury.

[Kopite_Colin]

I wonder if we get clearance to play Masher, whether SG will play RM to try and keep Ronnie quiet?

[tomasjj]

Well, in any case we have to be prepared for our season to slide into no mans land again as we prepare to take on Barca. They are the reigning champs.

[AFII]

Our chance is that they have problems in the air. If we can use that then we will have a chance.

As I said before, Crouch must play against them.

[Kopite_Colin]

Nobody fancied us the last time we played them, and nobody will fancy us again. But we've done really well in th Nou Camp in recent seasons and prevailed in the UEFA Cup twice. It was only their 3-1 win at Anfield in the CL in 2002 which we suffered badly at their hands. Historically, we have a VERY good record against them.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

I wonder if we get clearance to play Masher, whether SG will play RM to try and keep Ronnie quiet?

I reckon it's nailed on that's where he plays in the first leg.

[ARIMAN]

I imagine we`ll be something like this

Pepe

Finnan - Sami - Carragher - Riise


SG - MS - XA - JM(clearance permitting) - Zenden/Kuyt


Crouch


Ultra compact - SG on Ronaldinho - and then our three against their two in midifield , with Zenden or Kuyt doubling up against their RM

[anfieldanfield]

I imagine we`ll be something like this

Pepe

Finnan - Sami - Carragher - Riise


SG - MS - XA - JM(clearance permitting) - Zenden/Kuyt


Crouch


Ultra compact - SG on Ronaldinho - and then our three against their two in midifield , with Zenden or Kuyt doubling up against their RM

There's no way in hell Rafa will just chuck Masher in at the deep end, he hasn't played football in months and months.

[ARIMAN]

Depends what he is like in training. Its him or play Zenden inside, with Riise pushed up in midfield and Kuyt on the bench and Aureillo at LB

I`d take my chances with an Argie, in a game, that albeit will be high tempo, less physical and fast as the EPL

[AFII]

There's no way in hell Rafa will just chuck Masher in at the deep end, he hasn't played football in months and months.

Alonso played against Juve and he hadn't played a game for three months. Sissoko is in the same situation as Mascherano.

[Shaggy]

XABI ALONSO has earmarked international partner Xavi as the man Liverpool need to stop in their imminent Champions League clash with Barcelona.

Alonso watched in admiration as the Barca playmaker excelled in Spain’s 1-0 win over England last week.

The Liverpool man, who was suspended for Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Newcastle, says he’s the one player from his homeland he would love to see at Anfield.

“Xavi would be a good addition to any club,” said Alonso.

“I always like playing alongside him, because he makes everything look so easy. Even when you’re not playing, it’s a pleasure to watch him on the pitch, even if it’s just a training match. He is what I would call a mature, natural born football player. He’s the best opponent I’ve ever faced.”

Rafa Benitez will be meticulous in his preparation for the first leg tie in the Nou Camp on February 21.

He’s taking his squad for a four-day training camp in Portugal today, to ensure the bad weather can’t interfere with his practice sessions.

“We will go to the camp. We have ten days and time to work together,” said Benitez.

“It will be good for the team spirit and better because of the weather.”

Meanwhile, Benitez is increasingly confident Javier Mascherano will get the go-ahead to make his Liverpool debut.

Benitez believes the Premier League could make a ruling as soon as today.

“We think the news on Mascherano will be good and they will decide soon, maybe this will be on Monday,” said Benitez.

“The lawyers have been working hard on this. He was playing for West Ham and FIFA have said he can play for Liverpool, so the answer to us should be yes. He is training and now we are just waiting.”

[Jayesh87]

Rafa said that Everton are a snall team because they came to Anfield and defended....

So when we go to Camp Nou and we defend for the majority of the game, does that make us a small club?

[Red_Polo]

He never said big teams don't do it though did he?

[animal magic]

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard was prepared to wait for an explanation from Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o as to why he refused to play as a substitute on Sunday.
Eto'o's team were beating Racing Santander 2-0 in the Nou Camp thanks to goals from Ronaldinho but Eto'o, who is returning from four months out with a knee injury, said he did not want to play the last few minutes.

"Eto'o warmed up but afterwards told my assistant he did not want to come on," Rijkaard said after the game.

"It's a shame but I haven't been able to speak to him to find out the reasons.

Rijkaard later added: "It is best to sleep on it. I have to hear his side and we'll probably speak on Monday."

Barca president Joan Laporta said: "Samuel has suffered for four months and needs to be playing and scoring goals.

"We have to stand by him. Rijkaard is an expert in these situations and knows how to handle them."

Eto'o made his return from injury in the goalless draw away to Osasuna last week coming on to play the last five minutes as a substitute.

[dirty_sanchez]

Alonso played against Juve and he hadn't played a game for three months. Sissoko is in the same situation as Mascherano.

That's not relevant at all. Alonso and Sissoko have/had actually played in real matches with their team mates. AA is right, it would be lunacy to play someone who has not played football for months and will be miles off match fitness and sharpness.