The semi-final build-up thread

[Montana]

Unlikely Hero

Stand up ......... Dirk Kuyt.

I think Chelsea just might underestimate him tonight and focus their attention more on Crouch & Gerrard.

With Kuyt having been rested and oozing confidence after his goalscoring performance at Anfield last week, I'm hoping he can make the difference and steal in and nick an early goal like he did in the January PL game.

Then it really will be game on.

Kuyt has been ok without setting the world alight this season, tonight will be the perfect time to put in a big performance and shoot us to Athens. I hope he's got it in him.

[Guest]

I hope so

Hello.

[cobain]

If I see Zenden in the line-up before the match, I'll turn off the TV and play gin rummy with myself...

[Red_hot]

Hope not but he's just got on the team bus. (according to the Glove - our man at the ground).

[dracs]

I always feel he need the ball early, he's always makes space for himself, asks for the ball, but doesn't get it. In the meantime a defender comes along and then closes him down

[rushscored4]

I blimin hell hope not

I doubt it as he played a full 90 minutes on Saturday didn't he? I don't think he was as bad as everybody made out last week and he had a decent game against Portsmouth and was unlucky not to score when he hit the bar.

On the other hand, I also hope he isn't playing tonight because we have to push for an early goal so I think we'll start with Riise, Mascherano, Gerrard and either Alonso or Pennant in midfield with Kuyt and Crouchaldinho up front.

[cobain]

Hope not but he's just got on the team bus. (according to the Glove - our man at the ground).

Great insider info

Well if Zenden plays, I just hope he wont take corners because his corners are as bad as Momos passing!

[Red_hot]

Great insider info

[Rhys]

zenden wont play if rafa wants us to win the game.

i'm just worried about were stevie will play because i think pennant should deffo play, which means dropping either alonso or macherano or sissoko (whoever plays) for stevie to play in the middle, and pennant on the right.

at anfield in jan we started with alonso and gerrard in the centre and i think rafa may go with this.

[loco_law]

it's 3:17am here ...

.. and all I've done is stare at the ceiling trying to sleep for 3 hours. I can't get the game out of my head, and my stomach is in knots. This is even worse than the final in 2005.

Bloody hell.

[Pacman]

F*ck the lot of them!!!!!

**** off Mourinho
**** off Terry
**** off Fatty Lampard
**** off Essien
**** off Drogba
**** off Cashley Cole
**** off Joe Cole
**** off Robben

**** all of them - lets sing like we've never sung before tonight win lose or draw. Lets show those southern ******s what support is all about. Lets prove Rafa right we are Liverpool Football club and whatever happens tonight we are something that Chelsea will never be.

We can't control how our players play we can't control how good or bad a game the ref has but we can control the noise levels in Anfield tonight. Lets make hairs stand on the back of our players necks lets get behind our them whatever team Rafa picks lets all unite behind one cause and try and suck that ball in the back of the net.

It's up to use to make sure that the players truely aren't walking alone and that there are 45,000 screeming Liverpool fans behind them urging them on. Chelsea might have some better players they might have more money but they haven't got what we have and that's the support we show our team.

[Rhys]

[The_weatherman]

I think Rafa will not assign Carra on Drogba, if Mourinho orders Drogba down the right than Mascher and Arbeloa should offer extra protection with Agger. They will also have the benefit of knowing where Chelsea will focus there attacks which could make it easier to defend.

On our right Finnan will hopefully deal with Cole/Robben with some help from Carra or Gerrard/Pennant.

How does that sound? Don´t know if Mourinho starts with Robben or Kalou though but I´m sure Rafa will have taken several options into account.

[RedJedi]

[Gray]

Glass raised.