Liverpool FC Forum

by **Effes** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:33 am

The Racing Post's uptake on the game:

CHELSEA were the more impressive of the Grand Slam Sunday losers but layers have over-reated by making them as short as 5-6 to win tonight's Carling Cup tie inside 90 minutes.

The Blues did everything but put the ball in the net at the Emirates Stadium two days ago but their failure to get on the scoresheet was not a huge surprise.

Didier Drogba's absence is a massive blow to Avram Grant because he is the main source of goals and his ability to hold up the ball is crucial to get the best out of Frank Lampard – Chelsea's second best source of goals.

Andrei Shevchenko did well in Drogba's absence but the Ukrainian lacked the speed to get in behind the Arsenal back four.
Either Shevchenko or Claudio Pizarro will lead the Chelsea line this evening but neither possesses the pace required to test the Liverpool rearguard.

The visitors may choose to leave their star striker, Fernando Torres, on the bench, but they have better replacements in the final third.

Ryan Babel caught the eye on Sunday and his energy and shooting ability mark him down as a potential match-winner tonight.

Recommendations
Liverpool 1pt 3-1
R Babel to score anytime 1pt 9-2
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by **ruskiy playmaker** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:05 am

I am actually now looking forward to this one. A win at the Bridge would off course be a wonderful achievement for the second team players.

Here's the the team I'd like to see....

Itandje
Finnan,Carragher,Hobbs,Aurelio
Sissoko,Alonso
Benayoun Leto
Lucas
Babel

Rafa will probably go with something like this...

Itandje
Finnan,Carragher,Hobbs,Aurelio
Benayoun,Sissoko,Lucas,Leto
Voronin
Crouch

by **112-1077774096** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:13 am

ruskiy playmaker wrote:I am actually now looking forward to this one. A win at the Bridge would off course be a wonderful achievement for the second team players.

Here's the the team I'd like to see....

Itandje
Finnan,Carragher,Hobbs,Aurelio
Sissoko,Alonso
Benayoun Leto
Lucas
Babel

Rafa will probably go with something like this...

Itandje
Finnan,Carragher,Hobbs,Aurelio
Benayoun,Sissoko,Lucas,Leto
Voronin
Crouch

if he does then he has obviously given up on this trophy as well. a quarter final is not a time to experiment with a team, put a strong team out and win the game, if he isnt going to take it seriously then there is no point in us turning up

by **The_Rock** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:21 am

peewee wrote:
ruskiy playmaker wrote:I am actually now looking forward to this one. A win at the Bridge would off course be a wonderful achievement for the second team players.

Here's the the team I'd like to see....

Itandje
Finnan,Carragher,Hobbs,Aurelio
Sissoko,Alonso
Benayoun Leto
Lucas
Babel

Rafa will probably go with something like this...

Itandje
Finnan,Carragher,Hobbs,Aurelio
Benayoun,Sissoko,Lucas,Leto
Voronin
Crouch

if he does then he has obviously given up on this trophy as well. a quarter final is not a time to experiment with a team, put a strong team out and win the game, if he isnt going to take it seriously then there is no point in us turning up

Rafa has to take this match tournament seriously...it could save his job come end of this season.

We ain't gonna win the league....so we have to go for the cups.

Let me put it this way....

chelsea don't have terry, carvellho & drogba. If we don't beat them now at SB....i am not sure when will we beat them...

by **mungi** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:44 am

gotta take this game seroiusly. might be the only cup we win thi season....................
have faith.
ynwa

by **Lucky** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:58 am

Isn't it a bit odd to say something like

might be the only cup we win thi season

&

have faith

at the same time, mate?

by **Ciggy** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:28 am

Kewel, Kuyt and Gerrard havent travelled so if we get beat Kuyt cant be made a scapegoat again.

by **NANNY RED** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:00 am

Ciggy wrote:Kewel, Kuyt and Gerrard havent travelled so if we get beat Kuyt cant be made a scapegoat again.

There sayin Gerrard has got a stomach bug cigg so wonder if it will be Xabi or Lucas to step in mind i wouldnt be suprised if he rested Masherano and played them both :laugh:

by **tubby** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:25 am

Yeah why not, give Lucas a full running and lets see what he can do against the big time. I was hoping Rafa would use him against the mancs but he didnt. Xabi should give him ample back up.

by **JoeTerp** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 11:19 am

Ciggy wrote:Kewel, Kuyt and Gerrard havent travelled so if we get beat Kuyt cant be made a scapegoat again.

Sounds like Leto is going to start, unless he puts Babel wide left to give him practice out there, which many ppl feel would be a waste of time, would also suspect Voronin to start instead of Torres AND Crouch. Will be interesting to see who partners Xabi, Momo or Lucas. If its Lucas, Momo will surely be on his way in January.

by **Seano Kop** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 12:43 pm

Without 2 of their better defenders in the team, and perhaps others rested, why not play Torres for say, the final 20 minutes? Surely he will score a hat trick in that time.... if Chelsea are lucky

by **LFC #1** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 12:48 pm

Read on RAOTL that apparently Torres and Carra haven't travelled, with Gerrard out as well I can't see us winning the game without what is effectivley the spine of our team. Chelsea will field a strong side, rest assured, it's not like they don't have the depth is it?

Concerning but hopefully we can nick a win.

by **JoeTerp** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 12:57 pm

If that is true than there is a good chance of Babel playing up front with Voronin or Crouch.

REALLY hope that Leto plays well and redeems his form against Marseille at home

by **jeffiroquai** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 1:40 pm

Hey Joe, is this on anywhere in the states??

This match, in my opinion, is there for the taking. No Terry, the Ivorian Submarine is out, and after watching the Chels v. Ars match on sunday, Ben Haim looks like the Israeli Titus Bramble.

Put Crouch and Babel up front, leave Momo on the bench until late in the second when he can come on and kick the chelsea players around a bit, and we should take the points. Chelsea are on like a 50 match unbeaten streak at home, so its not going to be a walk in the park, but we have the squad to do it.

by **lakes10** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 2:12 pm

redtrader74 wrote:Usually i don't really care for the Carling Cup, well not since 2001 , but i hope we win it this year. Not for the kudos, there isn't really any, but i think it would help Rafa buy some time, and might keep the short termist glory hunting paper reading sheep off his back, because i honestly believe that he will get it right.

Obviously the league looks difficult at the moment, although in no way impossible, and it may just go back to being that 80-85 points may be winning total. Also you never know, if we get a date at Wembley Rafa might just convince G&H that its the CL final

I was going to say the same thing, that i dont carew about this cup this year, but as it is CHELSEA, I am well up for this game andi hope we give them a good kicking.

0-8 to us.........its Xmas and we can all dream.

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