Liverpool FC Forum

by **Lando_Griffin** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 5:49 pm

This is much trickier than many people seem to think. Hafa are a good team, and are obviously well-drilled and organised.

All it takes is for our new-look defence to let one in, and we're out.

We MUST go into this match like it's a cup-final. (Not one of OUR cup finals, though, as I don't want us gong behind!!!!!

)

If Finnan is available again, the defence picks itself, assuming Paletta still isn't ready for his debut.
The midfield MUST include Alonso. No matter how out of form he's been, he's never let us down and never will. The lad is a calming presence, and he gives excellent protection to the defenders.

Here is the team I would play tomorrow:

Reina

Finnan Agger Sami Aurelio

Alonso Sissoko
Pennant Gonzalez
Gerrard

Crouch.

I'd play this team for the first 60 minute, and if we're still in need of a goal, I'd bring on Bellay for Pennant, switch Stevie out to the right, and push Gonzalez up to go 4-3-3, thus:

Reina

Finnan Agger Sami Aurelio

Alonso
Gerrard Sissoko

Bellamy Gonzalez
Crouch.

Robbie could come on towards the end as an instant goal-threat, replacing Alonso if he is flagging, with Gonzo dropping back to midfield. (Worst case.)

Bellamy's pace towards the end of the match would pose a real threat to Haifa's defenders, especially combined with Fowler's guile and intelligence.

That's my t'uppence worth, anyhoo.

by **LFCFan4Life** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 6:32 pm

Lando_Griffin wrote:This is much trickier than many people seem to think. Hafa are a good team, and are obviously well-drilled and organised.

All it takes is for our new-look defence to let one in, and we're out.

We MUST go into this match like it's a cup-final. (Not one of OUR cup finals, though, as I don't want us gong behind!!!!! )

If Finnan is available again, the defence picks itself, assuming Paletta still isn't ready for his debut.
The midfield MUST include Alonso. No matter how out of form he's been, he's never let us down and never will. The lad is a calming presence, and he gives excellent protection to the defenders.

Here is the team I would play tomorrow:

Reina

Finnan Agger Sami Aurelio

Alonso Sissoko
Pennant Gonzalez
Gerrard

Crouch.

I'd play this team for the first 60 minute, and if we're still in need of a goal, I'd bring on Bellay for Pennant, switch Stevie out to the right, and push Gonzalez up to go 4-3-3, thus:

Reina

Finnan Agger Sami Aurelio

Alonso
Gerrard Sissoko

Bellamy Gonzalez
Crouch.

Robbie could come on towards the end as an instant goal-threat, replacing Alonso if he is flagging, with Gonzo dropping back to midfield. (Worst case.)

Bellamy's pace towards the end of the match would pose a real threat to Haifa's defenders, especially combined with Fowler's guile and intelligence.

That's my t'uppence worth, anyhoo.

Good post Lando. I agree with your sentiments regarding Haifa and the formation for tomorrow. The game will be anything but comfortable.

Finnan IS available, he along Xabi,Luis and Warnock have traveled with the rest of the squad. [Paletta has not, so he won't be playing tomorrow].

I hope that Sami rolls up his sleeves and steps up a gear or two. He hasn't been impressing thus far.

by **Ace Ventura** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 6:56 pm

I am also a little bit worried about this, its by no means an easy game, we havent started our season brightly and could of done without the difficult trip to Kiev.
I would play this team

Reina

Finnan Hyypia Agger Aurellio

Pennant Sissoko Alonso Gerrard

Crouch Bellamy

That side would have the defensive protection of both Alonso and Sissoko while having players that can counter attack at pace. Gonzalez i would bring on later in the game like last time, people may question playing Steven out of position again, but he would be able to cut back inside and have shots with his stronger foot and he would also offer Aurellio better protection than Gonzalez.
I also think Pennant must start, this game is tailor made for someone who can break quickly and carry the ball over great distance.
Bellamy and Crouch upfront as they offer a bit of everything.
That team should be good enough to win there, and imo win convincingly, but a good start is absolutely vital.

by **matrix** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:03 pm

did anyone see rafa being interviewed on ssn about the haifa game... he was being bombarded by some local reporter to why the game isn,t being played in israel...what world are these people living in :laugh:

as usual rafa kept verry cool :cool:

by **LFCFan4Life** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:04 pm

Ace Ventura wrote:I am also a little bit worried about this, its by no means an easy game, we havent started our season brightly and could of done without the difficult trip to Kiev.
I would play this team

Reina

Finnan Hyypia Agger Aurellio

Pennant Sissoko Alonso Gerrard

Crouch Bellamy

That side would have the defensive protection of both Alonso and Sissoko while having players that can counter attack at pace. Gonzalez i would bring on later in the game like last time, people may question playing Steven out of position again, but he would be able to cut back inside and have shots with his stronger foot and he would also offer Aurellio better protection than Gonzalez.
I also think Pennant must start, this game is tailor made for someone who can break quickly and carry the ball over great distance.
Bellamy and Crouch upfront as they offer a bit of everything.
That team should be good enough to win there, and imo win convincingly, but a good start is absolutely vital.

You mean like how we were supposed to have won comfortably at Anfield in front of 40,000 plus of our supporters? :sleepy:

by **Ace Ventura** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:25 pm

LFCFan4Life wrote:
Ace Ventura wrote:I am also a little bit worried about this, its by no means an easy game, we havent started our season brightly and could of done without the difficult trip to Kiev.
I would play this team

Reina

Finnan Hyypia Agger Aurellio

Pennant Sissoko Alonso Gerrard

Crouch Bellamy

That side would have the defensive protection of both Alonso and Sissoko while having players that can counter attack at pace. Gonzalez i would bring on later in the game like last time, people may question playing Steven out of position again, but he would be able to cut back inside and have shots with his stronger foot and he would also offer Aurellio better protection than Gonzalez.
I also think Pennant must start, this game is tailor made for someone who can break quickly and carry the ball over great distance.
Bellamy and Crouch upfront as they offer a bit of everything.
That team should be good enough to win there, and imo win convincingly, but a good start is absolutely vital.

You mean like how we were supposed to have won comfortably at Anfield in front of 40,000 plus of our supporters?

Yeah thats exactly what i mean.

Do you disagree with the team or just my belief that it would win comfortably ?

by **Kev Huyton 2006** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:28 pm

I hope Rafa don't change it round too much.

Don't play Aurelio on the left wing, play pennant, Gonzalez, Sissoko and Gerrard/Alonso.

Bellamy and Crouch.

Get the crosses in for Crouchie.

by **dward** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:36 pm

This won't be as easy as some think. They need to score so if our weakened defence goes to sleep, it could be tricky. But also, since they do need to attack, we will be able to hit them on the break, and I would like to see lots of speed on the counter. I believe we'll progress, but it will not be an easy ride.

by **Kev Huyton 2006** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:47 pm

Another bit of history.....
For the past two seasons in the 3rd qual round of the CL, versus Levski Sofia and AK Gratz, we have lost both second legs, after winning the first in both!

by **aCe'** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:03 pm

i think its not an easy game but after that sheff. game... imo, everyone will be fired up and ready to kik some maccabi a.sss ! i think we Will win by some considerable margin... the game being in kiev and all, dont see why we cant win it and go through without much trouble....
key to victory : our mediocre performance against sheff. !

by **woof woof !** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:23 pm

matrix wrote:did anyone see rafa being interviewed on ssn about the haifa game... he was being bombarded by some local reporter to why the game isn,t being played in israel...what world are these people living in

as usual rafa kept verry cool

Are you sure the "journalists" were local ? I got the feeling half of them were some of the Maccabi muppets who were on our forum after the first leg . Some of them were having a right go at Rafa and blaming him for having the game moved .

Rafa rightly stated "I have a responsibility for the safety of my players and fans . You tell me , what other team would agree to play in Isreal ? "

by **Ciggy** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:47 pm

Wahhh what where those journo's like to Rafa shower of gobsh.ites.
Rafa should have asked them why they are even in the competition seen as Isreal is not in Europe, what the feck has that war got to do with us hey?
Im proper fumin, Rafa should have just walked out TBH, I would have.
And I hope our players watch that press conference it could give them some fire in their bellys and wipe the floor with these sh.itbags tommorrow.
And that other fella saying he wants to put pestiside in our changing room

.

CMON U MIGHTY RED MEN LETS DESTROY THESE B@STARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by **MaccaLFC** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:51 pm

Hopefully we'll do our talking on the pitch and give them a right tonkin. :censored:

.

Played Rafa lad, handled it well, now send out our strongest eleven and destroy them 4-0, that'll shut them up.

by **Ciggy** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:55 pm

Any chance of us getting officials from Palestine or Lebanon tommorrow :eyebrow

by **woof woof !** » Mon Aug 21, 2006 8:56 pm

Hopefully Rafa won't sit on a one goal lead and look to hit Maccabi on the break . With our normal back four this would still be a risky tactic, with Carra and Riise out and our "new" back four still learning each others names , sitting back and inviting them to break us down could be a major mistake.

Maccabi have an away goal , if we get one , they'll then have to score three to get past us . Without going all "Banzai" I be looking for us to press and score first , after that we should see the game out without too much trouble .

I go with

. Reina

. Finnan (is he fit?) Agger Hypia Warnock

. Pennant Gerrard Sissoko Aurelio

Crouch Bellamy

Subs
Dudek
Paletta
Alonso
Garcia
Fowler

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