Liverpool vs Barnsley lead up thread

[SB]

15.2.08 LFC vs Barnsley: Latest team news

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has a big defensive headache ahead of his side's FA Cup fifth round clash with Barnsley at Anfield on Saturday after Martin Skrtel was ruled out with a calf injury.

Benitez is still without metatarsal victim Daniel Agger and must decide whether to risk fellow defender Sami Hyypia with one eye on next week's Champions League clash with Inter Milan.

Fernando Torres is fit again after a hamstring injury but is expected to be rested, while Fabio Aurelio and Alvaro Arbeloa are available after recovering from thigh and stomach injuries respectively.

New signing Luke Steele will go straight into Barnsley's starting line-up.

Steele has been drafted in on an emergency loan from West Brom for the fifth-round tie on Merseyside due to an injury to first-choice Heinz Muller and replacement Tony Warner's ineligibility.

Muller has ruptured his cruciate knee ligament and Warner, on loan from Fulham, is cup-tied.

The Reds will be without former Derby pair Lewin Nyatanga and Jon Macken after they appeared for the Rams earlier in the competition.

Bobby Hassell is expected to step in for Nyatanga and Hungarian striker Istvan Ferenczi will vie with Kayode Odejayi and Michael Coulson for a starting place alongside Daniel Nardiello.

Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Aurelio, Arbeloa, Pennant, Mascherano, Gerrard, Babel, Benayoun, Kewell, Lucas, Torres, Crouch, Kuyt, San Jose, Itandje.

[SB]

So who do you think will start this one. Rafa has said that he doesn't want a repeat of the Waterloovil scare but surely he will have his eye on Inter's trip during the week. I'm expecting to see some big names on the bench and Rafa hoping not to have to use them. Could we see something like this?

Charlie
Arbeloa
Carra
San Jose
Aurelio
Pennant
Lucas
Masher
Benny
Crouch
Kuyt

Subs
Pepe
Finnan
Kewell
Babel
Riise
Hyypia

[sinbad]

NEVERTON PUT REDS ON ALERT
The FA CUP
By Lee West 16/02/2008


Everton are helping to plot the downfall of rivals Liverpool - by giving FA Cup hopefuls Barnsley the inside track on the Reds.

Tykes manager Simon Davey has had a hotline to Toffees boss David Moyes as he prepares for the tie.

Davey is a close friend of Moyes and worked with him at Preston. He has bombarded Moyes with calls so he can pick his brains about Rafa Benitez's men.

And Davey believes the information will give him a huge insight into what to expect when the Tykes take on Steven Gerrard and Co.


Moyes even let Barnsley use Everton's luxury Finch Farm training complex but Moyes may have had second thoughts if he knew Davey is actually a Liverpool fan.

"I've spoken to David this week about Liverpool and he's been a great help," said Davey. "It was good to pick his brains.

"Liverpool are a huge club with fantastic players and a fantastic stadium. I supported Liverpool as a lad and will be so proud to lead my team out at Anfield.

"But we are also going there to win the game. This will be the pinnacle of some of my players' careers so far and they have to make sure they take the chance.

"Liverpool were European champions two years ago and we are relishing the chance to do the club proud."

The Tykes' last line of defence will be debutant goalkeeper Luke Steele, who has joined on loan. The former Manchester United player has been in the wilderness at West Brom but faces a return to the big time with a bang.

Davey is backing Steele to rise to the challenge in front of a full house at Anfield and added: "We are giving Luke the opportunity to show his worth and he's really up for it. When he realised he was in line for his debut at Anfield he only had to think about the decision for five seconds. He can't wait for the game to come round.

"He's excited like any other player would be. He goes straight in and I'm sure he'll do himself proud."

[SB]

NEVERTON PUT REDS ON ALERT
The FA CUP
By Lee West 16/02/2008


Everton are helping to plot the downfall of rivals Liverpool - by giving FA Cup hopefuls Barnsley the inside track on the Reds.

Tykes manager Simon Davey has had a hotline to Toffees boss David Moyes as he prepares for the tie.

Davey is a close friend of Moyes and worked with him at Preston. He has bombarded Moyes with calls so he can pick his brains about Rafa Benitez's men. There's 2 seconds of his life that he's wasted

And Davey believes the information will give him a huge insight into what to expect when the Tykes take on Steven Gerrard and Co.


Moyes even let Barnsley use Everton's luxury Finch Farm training complex but Moyes may have had second thoughts if he knew Davey is actually a Liverpool fan.

"I've spoken to David this week about Liverpool and he's been a great help," said Davey. "It was good to pick his brains.

"Liverpool are a huge club with fantastic players and a fantastic stadium. I supported Liverpool as a lad and will be so proud to lead my team out at Anfield. And miserable when we limp out of there after conceding 5-6

"But we are also going there to win the game. This will be the pinnacle of some of my players' careers so far and they have to make sure they take the chance.

"Liverpool were European champions two years ago and we are relishing the chance to do the club proud."

The Tykes' last line of defence will be debutant goalkeeper Luke Steele, who has joined on loan. The former Manchester United player has been in the wilderness at West Brom but faces a return to the big time with a bang.

Davey is backing Steele to rise to the challenge in front of a full house at Anfield and added: "We are giving Luke the opportunity to show his worth and he's really up for it. When he realised he was in line for his debut at Anfield he only had to think about the decision for five seconds. He can't wait for the game to come round.

"He's excited like any other player would be. He goes straight in and I'm sure he'll do himself proud."

[tommyg]

NEVERTON PUT REDS ON ALERT
The FA CUP
By Lee West 16/02/2008


Everton are helping to plot the downfall of rivals Liverpool - by giving FA Cup hopefuls Barnsley the inside track on the Reds.

Tykes manager Simon Davey has had a hotline to Toffees boss David Moyes as he prepares for the tie.

Davey is a close friend of Moyes and worked with him at Preston. He has bombarded Moyes with calls so he can pick his brains about Rafa Benitez's men.

And Davey believes the information will give him a huge insight into what to expect when the Tykes take on Steven Gerrard and Co.


Moyes even let Barnsley use Everton's luxury Finch Farm training complex but Moyes may have had second thoughts if he knew Davey is actually a Liverpool fan.

"I've spoken to David this week about Liverpool and he's been a great help," said Davey. "It was good to pick his brains.

"Liverpool are a huge club with fantastic players and a fantastic stadium. I supported Liverpool as a lad and will be so proud to lead my team out at Anfield.

"But we are also going there to win the game. This will be the pinnacle of some of my players' careers so far and they have to make sure they take the chance.

"Liverpool were European champions two years ago and we are relishing the chance to do the club proud."

The Tykes' last line of defence will be debutant goalkeeper Luke Steele, who has joined on loan. The former Manchester United player has been in the wilderness at West Brom but faces a return to the big time with a bang.

Davey is backing Steele to rise to the challenge in front of a full house at Anfield and added: "We are giving Luke the opportunity to show his worth and he's really up for it. When he realised he was in line for his debut at Anfield he only had to think about the decision for five seconds. He can't wait for the game to come round.

"He's excited like any other player would be. He goes straight in and I'm sure he'll do himself proud."

like its gonna help

[Lee]

Looking forward to this, should hit 4 or 5. I'm guessing we'll see something like;

Itandje
Finnan Carragher Arbeloa Riise
Pennant Alonso Lucas Benayoun
Crouch Kuyt

Well, that's me guess anyway

[akjs123]

Looking forward to this, should hit 4 or 5. I'm guessing we'll see something like;

Itandje
Finnan Carragher Arbeloa Riise
Pennant Alonso Lucas Benayoun
Crouch Kuyt

Well, that's me guess anyway

I think Babel will start this game but Benayoun and Pennant hardly got any action last week so who knows. Rafa might start Babel up top with Crouch.

[Lee]

I think Babel will start this game but Benayoun and Pennant hardly got any action last week so who knows. Rafa might start Babel up top with Crouch.

I was thinking about Babel too but stuck B & P in because of that reason for not playing last week. Hmmm. Would like to see Babel & Crouch up top - who knows!

[Johnny]

Bennayoun should start,he loves these cup games.

[Exiled_red]

I suspect it'll be something like:

Itandje
Finnan Carragher Hyypia Arbeloa
Pennant Lucas Mascherano Babel
Kuyt Crouch

[Matt]

Itandje

Finnan Carra Arbeloa Riise

Pennant Lucas Alonso Benayoun

Babel Kuyt

[Matt]

Itandje

Finnan Carra Arbeloa Riise

Pennant Lucas Alonso Benayoun

Babel Kuyt

Although I'd actually like to see San Jose get a go. I don't agree with having full backs filling in as centre backs when we have a young player waiting in the wings who specialises there.

Said the same thing before about Hobbs when Hyypia got injured last time but Arbo got played that day against Citeh so I'd be surprised if the lad San Jose got the nod today.

[El Diego]

guys no Alonso in the squad

[Johnny]

Anybody got the line up yet??




Livvy????