Man City game. Who's fit to play?

[Exiled_red]

finally a ****ing game.. missed liverpool fc!!!!

GET IN YOU MIGHTY REDS!!!!

It seems like ages since the last one, international week is boring!

Let's hope we've been able to use the break to address some of the problems we had before the break

[Exiled_red]

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drill...91120-1335.htm

QUARTET FIT AFTER 'SPECIAL TREATMENT'
Jimmy Rice 20 November 2009

Rafa Benitez today revealed how four of his injured stars could be fit for Man City after flying to Serbia for 'special treatment'.
Click here to watch our interview with Rafa>>

Albert Riera and Yossi Benayoun were due to be out for another two weeks with hamstring problems but could now feature on Saturday after the much-publicised journey to eastern Europe.

Benitez was so pleased with the treatment they received that he sent Fabio Aurelio and Glen Johnson to Serbia for work on their muscle injuries.

All four players are now back in Merseyside and have taken part in full training sessions for the past two days.

Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv: "You know people have talked about them going to Serbia for special treatment and that's true. We had a lot of reports of international players going there, so we sent some players.

"They are now training so we will see if they can play. They have trained for the last two days.

"It has been good. There are other names from different teams who have been doing this treatment for seven years.

"It is a curative program for players with muscle injuries and it works well."

The major injury headache confronting Benitez before the international break has now almost cleared, with Steven Gerrard, David Ngog and Daniel Agger all passed fit for City.

Fernando Torres is the only senior star still in the treatment room.

Benitez added: "He is improving. He had a plan of two or three weeks, he's following this and improving."

and

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...707229,00.html

Rafa - Gerrard fit to play
Liverpool boss confirms captain is fit for City clash

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has confirmed that inspirational captain Steven Gerrard will be fit to play in the crucial Premier League clash with Manchester City on Saturday.

Benitez's side take on City in the lunchtime kick-off at Anfield, which is being shown live on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD1 at 12.45pm.

Gerrard was used as a second-half substitute in the 2-2 draw with Birmingham last time - climbing off the bench to net the 71st minute penalty equaliser.

The skipper has used the subsequent international break to gain additional rest to recover from a long-standing groin injury and Benitez confirmed he has been training and is fit to play on Saturday.

The Liverpool boss told Sky Sports: "We know that Gerrard is always very important for us, not just on the pitch also the passion that he puts in, everything.

Example
"He is an example for everyone so very good news for us and hopefully he can play well and maybe score the winning goal."

Benitez also expects to have Daniel Agger, Alberto Aquilani, Martin Kelly, Glen Johnson, Lucas Leiva and Yossi Benayoun available, but star striker Fernando Torres is definitely out.

He said: "I think that we had some problems but Agger has been training, Gerrard has been training.

"Now we have Aurelio, Glen training too, Leiva, Yossi, players they were not available.

"And we have Kelly and Torres - Torres is still not fit, he had a plan of two or three weeks and it's around 10 days now so he is continuing following the plan and progressing but is still not fit."

Benitez added: "He is improving but still he will need some days."

Sounds like aside from Torres we should have a full squad to pick from
I guess one or two player might not be fit to play 90mins but it looks promising

[Ben_Itez]

My guess:

Reina

Johnson
Carra
Agger
Insua

Mascherano
Lucas

Kuyt
Gerrard
Babel

Ngog

Bench: Cav, Dossena, Skrtel, Kelly, Aquilani, Benayoun, Torres?!


Is Carra suspended or what? On the beeb it says he has a two game ban, is he up to 5 yellows as well?

[cream]

At any other time, I would be gutted to have Torres out injured, given the circumstaces of the last few weeks, I'm glad we ONLY have Torres out injured.

[BrianF80]

My guess:

Reina

Johnson
Carra
Agger
Insua

Mascherano
Lucas

Kuyt
Gerrard
Babel

Ngog

Bench: Cav, Dossena, Skrtel, Kelly, Aquilani, Benayoun, Torres?!


Is Carra suspended or what? On the beeb it says he has a two game ban, is he up to 5 yellows as well?

Only 3 yellows. The beeb is always wrong, without fail

[SK]

At any other time, I would be gutted to have Torres out injured, given the circumstaces of the last few weeks, I'm glad we ONLY have Torres out injured.

amen to that...i hope our luck changes a bit with all the injuries, it's just been unbelievable.

[Exiled_red]

At any other time, I would be gutted to have Torres out injured, given the circumstaces of the last few weeks, I'm glad we ONLY have Torres out injured.

[Exiled_red]

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...708266,00.html

'Make or break' for Rafa
Last updated: 21st November 2009

Rafa Benitez admits Liverpool's game with Manchester City is 'make-or-break' for their season.

The Reds chief has seen his side lose five times in the league already this season.

And now he admits that their clash with City is crucial to their hopes of Champions League football.

"This is a big game, an important game. But then all Liverpool games are important. But this could be described as a make-or-break game for our season," admitted Benitez.

"We are aware of City's ambitions. They have spent some money on good players and they also have a good manager with experience.

"It will be tough, and important for us to win particularly with the Champions League game away to Debrecen next week. A good win will give us all confidence for that.

"We want to progress and we want to be higher in the table. We want to continue playing big teams and playing for something important.

"But it is too early to talk about final league positions, but clearly it is a big game for both clubs. But we must be confident we can win.

"I am not amongst the managers, 80 per cent I am told, in the Premier League who believe City will finish in the top four. We will be in the top four.

"We have to play well, and if we can play at the same level we had to beat Manchester United, we can beat anyone.

"I am not concerned about what critics say, only what is going on in my dressing room and the performance of my team.

"We have to win to get closer to the top of the table. We must keep winning to stay close to City, Aston Villa, Tottenham. If we do that it will give the players confidence.

"If we win games, and we have players back from injury, it will help create a very positive mood at the club.

"The aim is to kick-start our season. We must improve and a win will be a real lift for everyone."

No envy
Benitez insists he does not look at City's financial power with envy, and says Liverpool need to concentrate on their own future.

"We know City have money and they have spent a lot, but we must not just keep looking at what they are doing.

"We have to concentrate on what we can do on the pitch against them, but I accept they are doing a good job.

"What we have to do is to keep going, keep playing at our best. We are not in a good position in the table or in the Champions League.

"But we cannot change what has already happened, we need to win two or three games and the attitude will be totally different, with the fans and players having more belief.

"It is normally against good teams that we do best because the games are more open. We did it against Manchester United, and we aim to do the same to City."

[Pablo]

No leaked team news on this one yet?

[red g]

No leaked team news on this one yet?

Cream must have had a late night , or rawk's down

[Vermilion]

Cream must have had a late night , or rawk's down