Pre-Match Build Up - Galatasaray 05 Dec 2006

[dww]

He is mate yeah. Can play in midfield when required though as hes comfortable with the ball at his feet.

Cheers for the info

[dom9]

I'm surprised Kuyt was included. He seems to play every game, and with his hard working style of play, I would have thought he could do with a rest.

[puredale]

http://www.uefa.com/footballEurope/Club=7889/competition=1/index.html

http://www.uefa.com/newsfiles/19071.pdf - page 27

[lfc4ever]

Pre-Match Build Up - Galatasaray 05 Dec 2006

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/features/stats/FS10885061204-1108.htm

All the relevant facts and figures ahead of Liverpool's Champions League return to Istanbul with LFC statistician Ged Rea.
GALATASARAY v LIVERPOOL

Liverpool's European Record (overall): Pld 266 Won 152 Drawn 58 Lost 56.

Liverpool's record in European Cup: Pld 135 Won 80 Drawn 29 Lost 26.

This is the Reds first return to the Ataturk Stadium since the 2005 European Cup Final. Of the men who played that night Djimi Traore, Milan Baros, Vladimir Smicer and Dietmar Hamann have all left Anfield while Djibril Cisse is out on loan. Harry Kewell has not played since the F.A.Cup Final last May. Unused subs Josemi, Antonio Nunez and Igor Biscan have departed while Scott Carson is on loan at Charlton.

Penalty shoot-out hero Jerzy Dudek has only played seven times for the Reds since Istanbul. This, should he play, will be his first European appearance since that night.

In the fixture between the sides at Anfield on Matchday Two Liverpool won 3-2 despite leading 3-0 just before the hour mark. Peter Crouch (twice) and Luis Garcia scored before half-time before the Turks replied with two from substitute Umit Karan.

Liverpool are one of 10 teams that have already qualified for the knock-out stages. The others are Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, PSV Eindhoven, Valencia, Lyon, Real Madrid, Celtic and AC Milan.

The Reds are guaranteed to finish the group on top courtesy of their win over PSV Eindhoven two weeks ago.

By the same token Galatasaray will finish bottom of the group as they have drawn and lost to Bordeaux.

Should he play, Jamie Carragher will join Tommy Smith on 85 European appearances for the club. Only Ian Callaghan (89) has played more. Sami Hyypia and Ray Clemence come next on 80.

John Arne Riise two weeks ago became only the fourth player in the club’s history to play 50 games in the European Cup. The other men to reach the milestone are Phil Neal, who made 57 appearances, Jamie Carragher (54) and Sami Hyypia (53).

Liverpool have scored 15 hat-tricks in Europe down the years with the last coming in July 2005 when Steven Gerrard scored three against TNS at Anfield.

Liverpool have had nine players sent off in Europe. The last man to be red-carded was Igor Biscan in 2004 at Marseille.

Liverpool have lost just one of their last 13 away games in Europe. They have won six of 17 away games in the Group Stages drawing eight and losing three.

[Lee]

Right, I think this is what Rafa will pick - not necessarily what I would chose though:

Dudek
Peltier Paletta Agger Riise
Pennant Guthrie Alonso Garcia
Crouch Fowler

I think it's a toss up between Bellamy and Crouch to partner Fowler, although it wouldn't suprise me to see a different strikeforce. I reckon we'll see Anderson and Kuyt at somepoint too.

[Marky]

In the nicest possible sense i hope Kuyt doesn't start, i think he could do with a rest and taking into consideration we're guarenteed top spot it's
not exactly necessary we start him, is it?

[Guest]

Shaggy is a shoddy music specialist ... Now he's testing himself to footie matters. Oh well.

[Shaggy]

Shaggy is a shoddy music specialist ... Now he's testing himself to footie matters. Oh well.

I wish I understood that.

[ronan]

its a nothing game in every sense of the word
i expect both teams will field their reserve sides
gala cant even qualify for uefa cup
play as many youngsters as possible as its a great oppurtunity to blood them in such a competition.you would never normally get a chance to do this at such a high level.

[Los Rojos]

its a nothing game in every sense of the word
i expect both teams will field their reserve sides
gala cant even qualify for uefa cup
play as many youngsters as possible as its a great oppurtunity to blood them in such a competition.you would never normally get a chance to do this at such a high level.

Dead right.

I think Rafa will go with this side:

Dudek
Peltier Paletta Agger Riise
Pennant Alonso Guthrie Garcia
Fowler Crouch

[Red_Al_77]

Its not that much of a nothing game. A win in the CL is still money. D'Oh just forgot we are about to become rich.

[Graybach]

Dead right.

I think Rafa will go with this side:

Dudek
Peltier Paletta Agger Riise
Pennant Alonso Guthrie Garcia
Fowler Crouch

You've already predicted one correct line up this season so you can stop now, you know you'll never get another one

[shadow]

Its not that much of a nothing game. A win in the CL is still money. D'Oh just forgot we are about to become rich.

[Los Rojos]

You've already predicted one correct line up this season so you can stop now, you know you'll never get another one

:whatever:

And your predicted line-up is ............

[Graybach]

:whatever:

And your predicted line-up is ............

Dudek
Peltier Paletta Agger Riise
Pennant Alonso Guthrie Garcia
Fowler Crouch



No seriously I'd go with:

Dudek
Peltier Carra Agger Riise
Pennant Guthrie Alonso Garcia
Crouch Bellamy

Don't really rate Pennant but I think he'll keep playing him hoping he picks up. I'd keep Bellamy in too. Another goal and his confidence would go through the roof. Think Carra will play as Captain.