Build-up v Debrecen 16-09-09

[Tee]

Team for tonight IMO will be:

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

Johnson------------Carra----------------Skrtel----------------Insua


Kuyt-------------Mascher------------------Lucas--------------Riera

---------------------------Gerrard

------------------------------Torres

Harsh on Benni I know, but I think Rafa will want to stretch this team and utilise the full width of the pitch as much as possible, with Insua and Johnson overlapping.

[Daniel mote]

I think the team will be
reina
johnson carra skrtel aurillio
mascarano gerrard
benayoun kuyt riera
torres

[-V-]

Im not so sure about Mascherano playing tonight. I don't think we need him tonight so he might be rested. Gerrard and Lucas in the middle I think

[Daniel mote]

Just thinking that lucas mite get a rest. seeing that he has played eevery game.

[Tee]

Just thinking that lucas mite get a rest. seeing that he has played eevery game.

I think he will play, especially given that he was at the PC yesterday.

[-V-]

Lucas has not played International games whereas Mascher has and picked up a slight injury so I would expect Mascher to be rested. We just don't need his qualities tonight, we would do fine with a more attacking player

[-V-]

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is hoping to get his side's Champions League campaign off to a positive start tonight against Hungarian outfit Debrecen, and feels that, if they approach things carefully and rationally, his team should be able to reach the final of this season's competition.

"It is always important to take three points in every game, but especially when you are at home. People will say we are favourites so we will have to handle the situation because to start well in this competition is really important," he told reporters at a press conference yesterday.

"The Champions League is always a massive competition for us. We are really pleased to be in it again and want to be involved as much as we can. It will be difficult but we will try to get the points we need to qualify early, so we can manage things in a different way. If it is possible, we would like to get to the final again.

"We approach every game in every competition trying to win. It has to be like this for a top side like Liverpool. It is easy to say what it is for the fans: the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup and the Carling Cup.

"If you want to put them in an order, then it's okay to say that order. But if you asked me if I would be disappointed if we won the Champions League and not the Premier League, then I would say I want to win both! It is always important to win trophies. We know we have been close in the past and we want to be there again this season."

As for tonight's opponents, Benitez acknowledges that he did not know much about them, but careful scouting has revealed that the Hungarians definitely have potential, though it remians to be seen just how they will fare against a top side like the Reds.

"We did not know too much, that is obvious, but we have been working hard, sending scouts to watch them and we have a lot of information now," he added.

"They have a very good striker with pace and a second striker with good ability. The wingers and the full-backs join the attack really well and the midfield have a lot of energy. We will have to see what they are like against a top side like Liverpool to know what their real level is.

"In this case it is more difficult because we don't know their players. Our staff are working hard and watching videos but the players don't need to see too much. I think it is obvious that the main thing for us is how we do. If we do well then we can beat anyone. The priority will be to play at our level and show the opposition respect. I think our players will know how to analyse the key situations in the game after the first 15-20 minutes.

"The players are excited. We know the Champions League is a massive trophy and that it is important to get three points from the first match."

Zach Wilson-Goal.com

[RedReet]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Babel start, if anything to put him in the shop window. If we're winning comfortably and he doesn't get 30+ mins, I doubt we'll see much of him again.

[-V-]

I would be quite happy to see Babel up top with Torres in a 442

[PTP]

firstly it is vital we get the win and get the champions league off to a good start.

I can't see Debrecen posing too much of a threat, but at the same time i don't want to see us play a 'weakened' XI - ideally i'd like to see a stron starting XI and **** debrecen from the first minute, so that during the second half we can make changes etc

I would go with

-------------------reina----------------------

Johnson-----carra------skrtel-------Aurelio (good game for him to get back into it and rest for insua)

----------Lucas-----------Gerrard------------

Kuyt---------------Yossi-----------------Riera

------------------Torres-------------


Look to get a couple of goals up and take of Gerrard/Torres and another, prob Johnson.

[RedReet]

I would be quite happy to see Babel up top with Torres in a 442

Although I was never Babel’s greatest fan, I was hoping that Rafa would used the summer to let Babel work alongside Torres and train as a striker. I didn’t see him as a loss on the LW and if he couldn’t perform in his ‘favoured’ position alongside a world class forward like Torres then we would know he has no place at the club.

[Craig_H]

Please dont play Mascherano and Lucas together against no mark teams at Anfield.

Please!

[Shaggy]

Please dont play Mascherano and Lucas together against no mark teams at Anfield.

Please!

[Kenneth]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Babel start, if anything to put him in the shop window. If we're winning comfortably and he doesn't get 30+ mins, I doubt we'll see much of him again.

It's a good point.

[Kenneth]

Please dont play Mascherano and Lucas together against no mark teams at Anfield.

Please!