Barcelona.......

[Shaggy]

Yeah I tend to agree.
Was at the last game at Anfield when we got kicked 3-1

So was I...applauding Barca along with everybody else.

[El Jefecito]

I saw them playing Valencia today and to be honest I think we have a great chance.

They are definitely soft in the center of defense. They we're also very susceptible to pace on the counter. Valencia didn't really pressure them that much but when they did you could see Barca were uncomfortable. They were also weak down the flanks.

So what does that mean for us? Bellamy and Crouch need to start, we need Stevie and SpeedyG on the wings and Momo in the middle to keep them under pressure.

If those 5 play well, the game is ours for the taking.

[bazza76]

So was I...applauding Barca along with everybody else.

Was embarrasing that game, although i did think the result flattered them a little.

[Eth]

Bellers and Kuyt will start in a 4-4-2 which can change into a 4-5-1 if needed - Barca are lethal from Ronnie, Messi, Xavi - they are key to keeping quiet - Xabi will have Xavi Momo - Iniesta Stevie will help Finnan with Ronnie. If we let them play through the centre we are ****ed - we need to play them out in the centre of the park and not foul near the box.

I'll cry if we lose this game to a set piece

[El Jefecito]

Yeah, set pieces will be the biggest threat.

Valencia played a bank of 4 behind a bank of 2 and seemed to be able to contain them through the middle. The real key will be Momo pressing high up the pitch and nipping that kind of thing in the bud. Momo is better at that (assumming he's match sharp) than anyone Valencia have.

[lfc4ever]

Dunno who has the worse internal problems, Barca or us!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/european_football/article1399545.ece

Deco sent off as Barcelona problems deepen
Peter Jensen

Barcelona had the worst possible preparation for their Champions League first knockout round, first leg with Liverpool on Wednesday when they were beaten 2-1 in a draining battle against Valencia in La Liga. David Silva and Miguel Angulo put the home side ahead and Frank Rijkaard’s team, who had Deco sent off, failed to salvage a point despite a late goal from an otherwise out-of-sorts Ronaldinho.

The Brazil playmaker hugged each of his team-mates before the game in an open show of togetherness after a week of infighting prompted by Samuel Eto’o’s comments last week. But harmony was replaced by discord as Valencia ripped through the Spanish Champions’ shaky rearguard.

David Villa tore down the right and squared for Angulo to open the scoring for Valencia. Two minutes later, it was two as Silva converted Angulo’s pass with Barcelona’s defence all at sea again. Rijkaard brought on Lionel Messi, the Argentina forward, but both sides went down to ten men as David Albelda flew into Messi and Deco retaliated with an equally wretched challenge.

The mêlée seemed to wake up Barcelona, with Ronaldinho, in particular, sparking into life. From a set-piece in injury time, he scored his sixteenth goal of the season, although it was too little too late from the Spanish champions.

[AFII]

Barcelona president Joan Laporta fears Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch could leave his dream of retaining the Champions League in tatters.
He has pinpointed the England duo as Liverpool's danger men ahead of the second round double header.

"I love Steven Gerrard. He is an emblem of Liverpool. I was watching TV last weekend and saw a replay of the Champions League final between Liverpool and AC Milan," said Laporta.

"It was so emotional to watch Gerrard in that game. Xabi Alonso and the goalkeeper were important but Gerrard was the heart of the team.

"When he went to celebrate with the supporters after the match and to speak to them, I felt very emotional.

"Our captain, Carles Puyol, represents Barcelona in a similar way to Gerrard. He is always thinking of the team and giving to the team rather than his teammates. He is generous to his teammates and he is a fighter.

"The other player who is difficult for us to play against is Peter Crouch. He came to Barcelona on a visit and asked to see us play. Someone at the club thought he was a basketball player, but I told them 'No, he is a Liverpool player'.

"It is good for us that our defender, Rafael Marquez, is good with his head but we know Crouch is also a good finisher with his feet."

The Barca chief also confesses he cannot wait to experience the unique Anfield atmosphere in the second leg.

"This match will be tough for us and I am looking forward to the second leg because I hear Anfield is exciting for big matches.

"I've never been to Liverpool before. For someone of my age who loves The Beatles, it will make it even more special. I want to go to the Cavern Club where they started."

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...70219-1044.htm

[simey85]

1-1 at the nou camp then 2-1 @ anfield! i fully expect the barca players to be diving like fcuk so hope the ref is sharp on this!

[Mumsafan]

Yeah, set pieces will be the biggest threat.

Valencia played a bank of 4 behind a bank of 2 and seemed to be able to contain them through the middle. The real key will be Momo pressing high up the pitch and nipping that kind of thing in the bud. Momo is better at that (assumming he's match sharp) than anyone Valencia have.

Valencia used their width to great advantage. That's one thing I don't think we're good at

[El Jefecito]

Valencia used their width to great advantage. That's one thing I don't think we're good at

I think we'll see Bellamy and Kuyt, if he plays, peeling out to the flanks to try and create some of that width. Might work. It worked for Valencia, until they brought on Joaquin, they didn't have any real wingers on did they?

[Pacman]

I think we'll go out to be honest.

I think we will get humped on Wednesday 3 zip with Crouch missing a sitter late on and we'll do them 2-1 at Anfield with them scoring 1st.

I just feel with all the reports of disent in the Barca ranks they will want to set the record straight. If they play like they can I think they will well and truely dumped us out.

[Shaggy]

I think we'll go out to be honest.

I think we will get humped on Wednesday 3 zip with Crouch missing a sitter late on and we'll do them 2-1 at Anfield with them scoring 1st.

I just feel with all the reports of disent in the Barca ranks they will want to set the record straight. If they play like they can I think they will well and truely dumped us out.

If I had to stake my life on this game, which I don't, luckily, I'd have us down to go out.

However, conversely I'm strangely confident.

I don't think them losing last night will do us any favours, to be honest.

[Mumsafan]

I think we'll see Bellamy and Kuyt, if he plays, peeling out to the flanks to try and create some of that width. Might work. It worked for Valencia, until they brought on Joaquin, they didn't have any real wingers on did they?

They had people capable of doing the job though

[simey85]

feeling alot of negativity here if they play like they can they will stuff us, but if we go out with the right attitude and get after them (like we did chelsea)and impose ourselves on them they won't be able to play their game. we are going to have retain possession because we will be ****ed if we think we are gona be able to chase them around that pitch for 90 min! they have brilliant players who are outstanding in possession so we should keep it of them and see what deco xavi messi ronaldinho are like when they have to work hard!

[Eth]

Its a case of...........

Why do you build me up.... buttercup, baby....