Rafa: Reina fit for Athens showpiece

[Paco]

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed that goalkeeper Jose Reina is fit for next week's Champions League final against AC Milan.

However Benitez has a dilemma over who to play on each flank in Athens.

Reina injured a shoulder at Fulham and was left out of the final home league game against Charlton as a precaution.

But the Spanish star has trained normally all week in La Manga to dispel fears he would struggle to face Milan on Wednesday.

But Benitez, who returns from Spain with his squad on Saturday, accepts his key problems involve the wings.

He said: "We certainly have options on both wings, these are the areas I am having to consider carefully. This involves Bolo (Zenden), Harry (Kewell) and Jermaine (Pennant) and I have not yet made my decision."

Kewell's recent return to fitness after a season out recovering from groin operations, has placed him in Benitez's thoughts for the key left-wing role.

Kewell is believed to have trained well in Spain this week, but Benitez must decide whether he will have enough match fitness to oust Zenden, who played in both semi-final legs against Chelsea.

Zenden is out of contract this summer, and whether he has a longer-term future with the club will depend on Benitez's decision over the European final.

Benitez must also decide whether Pennant plays on the right, but he has no intention of giving any indication on that because it would instantly confirm that Steven Gerrard will play in his favoured central midfield role.

The manager could also use John Arne Riise on the left of midfield with Alvaro Arbeloa at full-back.

Benitez has only Luis Garcia and Fabio Aurelio on the injured list, although Mohamed Sissoko's chances of playing have been handicapped by injury.

Benitez told the club website: "Jerzy Dudek is also fit after a groin problem, so both my goalkeepers will be okay. Sissoko has started training and we will see, but I think all are okay."

Benitez added: "We looked at all the players in the training camp and in every training session people were talking about Harry Kewell.

"He played well for half an hour against Charlton but we needed to see whether he is fit and then decide if he can play from the start or not. There's a lot for me to decide yet.

"What I know at the moment is that we are focused and we will be ready. The players are really thinking about this game and you could see in previous matches that as much as you tried to push them, their minds were already on the final.

"The only thing we can do now is to prepare properly for the game and approach it with confidence because it's easy to become nervous or stressed."

[rondeco]

Strong hints about harry starting? Maybe I'm reading too much into it.

[Paco]

Just trying to baffle Ancelotti with his options.

[Lapskaus]

Kewell is actually our best left midfielder so I wouldnt be too suprised

[WeAreTheBest]

Originally Posted by rondeco Strong hints about harry starting? Maybe I'm reading too much into it.

Zenden is looking likely to miss the game with injury according to Bascombe although hasnt been definitely ruled out so maybe,

[Paco]

Originally Posted by WeAreTheBest Zenden is looking likely to miss the game with injury according to Bascombe although hasnt been definitely ruled out so maybe,

have you got the bascombe article? (not that I don't believe you, just want to read it)

[TK421]

They're obviously going to attack us down our left side. Djimi Traore had a nightmare first half in Istanbul and we still haven't really improved the left flank. Harry could go a long way to restoring people's faith with a good performance in Athens.

[Paco]

Originally Posted by TK421 They're obviously going to attack us down our left side. Djimi Traore had a nightmare first half in Istanbul and we still haven't really improved the left flank. Harry could go a long way to restoring people's faith with a good performance in Athens.

Zenden would offer more support to Riise who lets face it is not the best defender.

The other option would be to play Arbeloa at left back and riise in front of him.

kewell has limped out of three finals and if he were to start another one and limp out early then he would be defo finished.

The only way I can see Kewell start is if WATB said Zendens doubtful with an injury.

[WeAreTheBest]

Originally Posted by Paco have you got the bascombe article? (not that I don't believe you, just want to read it)

http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0...name_page.html

[Paco]

Originally Posted by WeAreTheBest http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0...name_page.html

cheers. Don't look good for Bolo if he's on crutches.

Arbeloa left back and riise at left mid

[Red Mist]

I'd be surprised if Rafa used any wingers from the start. Milan don't use wingers, they rely on their central midfield to decimate the opposition so I can see Rafa not starting with any of the wingers we have.

[A-G]

Originally Posted by Red Mist I'd be surprised if Rafa used any wingers from the start. Milan don't use wingers, they rely on their central midfield to decimate the opposition so I can see Rafa not starting with any of the wingers we have.

thats true they rely on there full backs to push forward a lot so that also means that wingers could have a lot of space if we can counter quick enough.

[Paco]

Originally Posted by Red Mist I'd be surprised if Rafa used any wingers from the start. Milan don't use wingers, they rely on their central midfield to decimate the opposition so I can see Rafa not starting with any of the wingers we have.

maybe we should attack them down the flanks since they play so narrow.

[JagSquared]

intresting how he didnt mention gonzo at all

[NelCarra]

Coz he's been shite!!!

[coop]

Rafa could also be using the media to fool Milan and still play Zenden.

After reading the reports coming from the training camp the Milan team will be more confused then ever about who Rafa is going to play.

Me personally would start with Arbeloa and Riise on the left with Finnan and Gerrard on the right. Gerrard is able to come into the centre to help the midfield plus cover on the right when the full back attacks.

With Riise and Arbeloa both on the left you would imagine it would be far better defensively then it was in 2005 and Milan will be scared of letting Riise too near the goal as he can shoot from distance and it was Riises cross which led to the comeback.

I would bring Kewell early in the second half and tell him to just run at them. The Milan defence although very good is not the youngest and will surely be tiring after a long season whilst we should be able to keep going after been able to rest plenty of players over the last couple of weeks.