Liverpool FC Forum

[Scottbot]

It's a tough one this and i wonder if Rafa has made up his mind, probably not. I've only seen brief highlights but he looked very sharp today and as lean as i've seen him since he's been at the club. I guess it all depends what formation Rafa is looking to play in Athens. After the chelsea game i was convinced he would stick with the same starting 11 we saw in the semi with Zenden on the left, Stevie in the middle and Xabi on the bench once again. But then this is Rafa we're talking about and trying to 2nd guess him is like playing Russian roulette so you never quite know what you're going to get (but then neither do the opposition).

Given the choice what would you go for? A fit but most likely fading Harry Kewell to start the game or do you leave him on the bench to bring on as legs are starting to tire out on the pitch. It's a difficult one and i wish we had one more game this season so he could get a full 90 minutes under his belt. Either way it's a great boost to have him back in the squad particularly now that Pennant is playing with such confidence (who for what it's worth i think he will be one of our most important players if we're gonna win the final).

[GOAT]

Too little, too late, simple as!

Wouldn't be anywhere near my starting XI.

Thank f.uck your not the manager! PHEW

[ivor_the_injun]

I do wonder about whether Rafa would prefer to start with Riise or Zenden on the left, and then have Kewell as a potential impact sub. If Harry starts and we get into trouble, there's nobody we can call on to improve matters on the left.

Either way, he's definitely going to get time on the pitch. Personally, I'd start him. With him and Pennant on the wings, Crouch and Kuyt will be like new signings, the amount of service they'd get. We've missed that from the left for most of the season, and we've only recently started getting it from the right.

[red_guy]

For a player who's not fully fit yet, Kewell showed some class against Charlton. However , it's hard to say whether he should start or be a potential sub in the final. If i have to choose between him and zenden/gonzalez....My answer would be Kewell.

[Fowler_E7]

I think he should get a place on the bench, and come on to have a go at the tired legs in the second half. I really doubt he will start the game as he hasnt played 90 mins in almost a year, so i dont think picking him from the start for the champions league final would be smart.

[112-1077774096]

a 50% harry kewell is better than a 100% gonzalez or zenden, kewell should play some part in the final

[red_guy]

a 50% harry kewell is better than a 100% gonzalez or zenden, kewell should play some part in the final

[SouthCoastShankly]

a 50% harry kewell is better than a 100% gonzalez or zenden, kewell should play some part in the final

Totally.

Any fan with a brain can see that Kewell is our best option on the left regardless of the fact he hasn't played at all this season. watching him yesterday just showed how competent he is compared to likes of Zenden and Gonzales.

[jkop]

a 50% harry kewell is better than a 100% gonzalez or zenden, kewell should play some part in the final

Ill agree with that, watched the highlights and Harry looked good, a lot better than Gonzo anyway.

[Red Red Tom]

Harry was our best player yesterday - and showed something on the left that we've been lacking all season, if he can start, I'd start him.

[LFC #1]

Looked sharpish yesterday and with 9 days hard training he'll be close enough to full fitness to warrant a place on the bench at the very least. If it were up to me I'd start him as he is easily our best player on the left (even at 50% fitness like peewee said) and he is one of the few players we have who is a real match winner.  I suspect Rafa is thinking along the same lines.

Harry knows it's his last chance and I have faith he could produce an excellent performance in Athens and have a big role in getting number 6!

[The Manhattan Project]

If you think he is fit enough to play against Charlton then why wouldn't he be ready to play in the cup final?

Charlton was a nothing game. AC Milan is the most important match of the season.

[account deleted by request]

As to whether Kewell should start or come off the bench. I would start him, the last thing we need is to be a couple of goals down, Milan defending deep and in depth and expecting Harry to work miracles. Put him on from the start and let him attack them while the game is still open. Once we are a couple of goals up we can afford to bring him off, defend deep and in depth and hopefully keep them out.

[welsh wizzard]

I tell you something Harry Kewell did look a rather lean player yesterday, with a major point to prove!! Everytime he recieved the ball yesterday he looked dangerous looked like he would create something or at least score.

He has to start. Its as simple as that!! I agree with alot of you he has the ability to play a bigrole in this massive final. He can beat a player put in a decent cross for the likes of Crouch and Kuite, and has a wicked shot on him. Even if we get 60min out of harry from the start, when the likes of Crouch and Kuite are fresh themselves, we will be an attacking force right from the start. I believe with quality crosses coming in from Kewell and Pennent Crouch will have a field day, I believe that Milan won't know how to handle Crouch and Crouch could be our secret weapon!!

I'll tell you something, we won't go 3nil down early this time. Milan will have butterflys in there stomachs about facing us. We are stronger and more complete than the last time. The players know they have beaten them on the last big stage, This time will be no different. But i feel with Kewell and Pennent hitting them on the break, will cause them massive problems. Set pieces are also our secret weapon with quality balls being placed in the box we will cause them all sorts of problems...

                              Reina
   Finnan            Carra            Aggar            Risse


Pennent             Gerrard            Mascherano             Kewell


                     Crouch               Kuite
Dudek
Alonso
Bellamy
Fowler
Hyppia
Arboloa
Zendon....       This is i believe the Champions league winning   team for 2007.  Liverpool 2  AC Milan 1.

[babu]

can't find much i disagree with there wiz