Early team news for Tuesday

[cumbriankop]

If finnan IS fit, then he can play RB with Arbeloa LB and Riise LM.

Riise always offers a threat at LM, which is more than Gonzalez does.

if finnan is available this has got to be the system. it did barca, and hopefully it will give us a better left side to go at ferreira. he was shoit at there's and if we could of had a decent left mid we could of really ripped them apart on that side

[Craig_H]

As I say jusy a gut feeling - he will probably play it safe and go for Zenden!

Play it safe and go for Zenden....

The best oxymoron since the recent "A super-fit Kewell"

[James]

Play it safe and go for Zenden....

The best oxymoron since the recent "A super-fit Kewell"

[Red Chilli]

if all players were fit

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

Finnan --- Cara -- Agger -- Arbeloa

Gerrard -- Alonso -- Masher - Riise

-------- Crouch -- Kuyt--------


possibly drop alonso/masher play pennant instead

No Insua?

[ElRobbie]

No Dudek or Bellamy?????

[ElRobbie]

As long as we give them one hell of a game and don't make it easy for them, I won't get too down if we don't make it through.

As long as the lads do us proud basically. I've never fancied us this time, I think they owe us one in the CL and are more up for it.

[Laz]

The left is a worry, as ever.

What are you on about?.....


:distant music:daa da da da daaaaa:distant music:

[Craig_H]

[kurtangle01]

The balance of this tie might just be tipping in our favour. Essien, whilst being a good player, is no centre back. We'll have a right go at him and I can see us scoring the required amount in regular time.

[bazza76]

Makes sense....have a gut feeling that he might play Riise LM and Agger at LB with Hyypia next to Jamie in the centre. This way if Chelsea play one up front Jamie can step out of defence and we would effectively have a back three. Same goes for if Finnan pushes up on the right...they all step across to form a back three.

Gives us more attacking options.

I dont think it is a massive gamble, especially given the fact, Agger could play at left full and we would atleast feel secure about his defensive abilities. We dont necessarly need to move to a back three, but as you say, the option is there without having to ues a sub. I also think we need every possible threat we can use in attack, and for me, Sammi offers a threat at set pieces we could use, especially now Carvlaho is out. Id rather see Riise at left side of midfield obviously too.

[Morph]

What are you on about?.....

You may laugh, but I think he's the ace up rafa's sleeve. Would be the best story ever if Rafa played him or brought him on as sub and he scored the winner, can't wait

[topscorer]

If I were Rafa I would take a gamble and play Gerrard left and Pennant right, letting them switch sides every 15 mins or so depending on how the game was going.

It's difficult to watch on the internet but didn't Rafa play Pennant on the left for a short time today?

He did the same for Wigan.

I really thought that he would do this on Wednesday and hope he does on Tuesday.

I was no Pennant fan when we signed him but I think he's been excellent the past month or 2 and would like to see him start.

[loco_law]

You may laugh, but I think he's the ace up rafa's sleeve. Would be the best story ever if Rafa played him or brought him on as sub and he scored the winner, can't wait

...especially if he got subbed off in the 23rd minute from a groin injury and Smicer came on to scor.......



Nevermind.

[Joe Le Toff]

if all players were fit

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

Finnan --- Cara -- Agger -- Arbeloa

Gerrard -- Alonso -- Masher - Riise

-------- Crouch -- Kuyt--------


possibly drop alonso/masher play pennant instead

Only place i would differ from that line-up is on the right.
I think Pennant will start and Gerrard will play off Crouch, Kuyt on the bench.

The whole make-up of the side, and the game for that matter, depends on Finnan being fit.

[marcus50bucks]

Team that started against Chelsea back in January. Interesting to see that Both Gerrard and Alonso started in the centre. I disagreed with Red_Al_77 by saying I didn't think Rafa would pair Gerrard and Alonso. I am starting to think it could happen.

Pepe Reina
John Arne Riise
Daniel Agger
Jamie Carragher
Steve Finnan
Fabio Aurelio
Xabi Alonso
Steven Gerrard MBE (c)
Jermaine Pennant
Peter Crouch D
Dirk Kuyt


Petr Cech
Ashley Cole
Michael Essien
Paulo Ferreira
Geremi
Arjen Robben
Michael Ballack
Frank Lampard
John Obi Mikel
Didier Drogba
Salomon Kalou