Europa Semi Final (!!!) Build Up - Atletico Madrid

[Shaggy]

Looks like Dirk is doubtful. In which case...?

Reina

Johnson
Carra
Soto
Agger

Lucas
Mascherano

Gerrard
Aquilani
Benayoun

Babel

If Ngog and Kuyt are both out, surely that's the only possible side we can play?

[Exiled_red]

Looks like Dirk is doubtful. In which case...?

Reina

Johnson
Carra
Soto
Agger

Lucas
Mascherano

Gerrard
Aquilani
Benayoun

Babel

If Ngog and Kuyt are both out, surely that's the only possible side we can play?

You would assume so

[Vermilion]

So Kuyt and Ngog are still doubts ? Bloody hell, that's all we needed for a game like this....could have done with Kuyts legs for this one.

[Mattshark]

So Kuyt and Ngog are still doubts ? Bloody hell, that's all we needed for a game like this....could have done with Kuyts legs for this one.

His big game scoring boots would be nice too.

[Galb]

Ive just got my tickets for the final (ordered in a fit of optimism months ago).

So, knowing my luck, we've no chance tomorrow.

But, in the spirit, we should go with:

Reina
Johnson Carra Greek Agger
Lucas Mascherano
Gerrard Aquilani Yossi
Kuyt/Ngog (whoever's fit)

None of our options up front are going to present a consistent threat (Babel looked lost there on Sunday) so I think we need to have someone who can hold the ball up there and bring the three in behind into it as much as possible. They're our main goal threats. So they should push on as much as possible.

Which is why I think we also need Lucas and Masch so that the others can just focus on attack.

[Vermilion]

His big game scoring boots would be nice too.

True.

[Helios Creed]

I'm pretty nervous, but hope to pull myself together when it comes to kick-off.

I've taken Friday off in case it's a gruelling game and/or extra time.

[SB]

Looks like Dirk is doubtful. In which case...?

Reina

Johnson
Carra
Soto
Agger

Lucas
Mascherano

Gerrard
Aquilani
Benayoun

Babel (Cometh the hour, cometh the man)

If Ngog and Kuyt are both out, surely that's the only possible side we can play?

Totally agree Shaggy

[Shaggy]

It's a sad state of affair but needs must. I hope the giraffe is not wearing his skates.

[SB]

Strikers Dirk Kuyt and David Ngog are major doubts for Liverpool's Europa League semi-final second leg at home to Atletico Madrid tomorrow.

Kuyt sustained a calf injury in Sunday's 4-0 win at Burnley while Ngog has a hamstring strain which has developed as a result of a back problem which forced him off in the first leg in Madrid last week.

It means Ryan Babel is likely to be asked to play in the lone striker role.

Midfielder Maxi Rodriguez is ineligible, having already played in Europe for Atletico, so that could mean Steven Gerrard is asked to play on the right with Alberto Aquilani given a chance in the hole behind the striker.

Atletico have been strengthened by the return of previously suspended Argentina international Sergio Aguero and Benitez is wary of the threat posed by him and first-leg goalscorer and former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan.

Conceding an away goal at Anfield would mean Liverpool would have to score three but the manager is confident his side have it in them.

"We know they are very good on the counter-attack and Aguero and Forlan are dangerous because we know both can score goals,'' said Benitez.

"We have to work very hard. We had the experience of playing them in the Champions League (last season) and they also beat us in a pre-season friendly.

"But if we can't keep a clean sheet we are ready to score more goals.

"It is always easier when you have Torres on the pitch but we have Gerrard, Alberto Aquilani, Ryan Babel, Yossi Benayoun or maybe the defenders.

"If we attack and create chances we have people who can score.''

Aguero has been one of Atletico's best players this season and with Diego Forlan, who scored the only goal in Madrid, forms a formidable strike partnership.

However, he is well aware that if they allow Liverpool to gain a foothold in the game their hopes of reaching the final in Hamburg on May 12 may be in jeopardy.

"When I came to Europe I came here for nights just like tomorrow night,'' said the Argentinian, who moved to Madrid from Club Atletico Independiente in 2006.

"Liverpool are one of the best teams in the world on their own park but it is a game we have to take calmly and in our stride.

"For any player, playing in a stadium like this is an extra motivation but we are in a semi-final and that gives us all the motivation we need.

"The first few minutes are going to be decisive. We are the away team and we have to make sure we have to go out fully concentrated and with a determined attitude.

"We have to be prepared to play on the counter and maybe not go all out for goals.

"Liverpool will know we play very well on the counter-attack and we have fast guys up front and they will be prepared for that.

"If we do get an opportunity on the break we have to be able to convert it.''

[SB]

It's a sad state of affair but needs must. I hope the giraffe is not wearing his skates.

This is his big chance really. If he plays well he'll buy himself some time, play poorly and he's gone IMO.

[Shaggy]

This is his big chance really. If he plays well he'll buy himself some time, play poorly and he's gone IMO.

I hope it's not as black and white as that - that's a lot of pressure for anyone to cope with. But yeah, you're probably right.

[Chris]

Buzzing now, lets smash these.

[SB]

I hope it's not as black and white as that - that's a lot of pressure for anyone to cope with. But yeah, you're probably right.

I just think that if he fails and we go out of the Europa as a result, the fans will bay for his blood, (even more than normal )

[Craig_H]

Knowing Babel, he'll be told that he's ploughing a lone striking furrow because Dirk's out injured, and yet he'll still be looking for Kuyt when the ball's at his feet and he's looking for a pass.