Probable team news

[jay7]

Liverpool 4-4-2 ****

Gonzalez(sp)(mf) and Bellamy®(fw) both probably absent... Not many changes expected from weekend... Aurelio(sp)(df) could be fit... slight doubts over Gerrard(k)(mf) and Sissoko®(mf) in midfield... With all the ongoing fuss about Rafa Benitez’ rotation system, this game could be the one where he finally fields an identical team tow games in a row, for the first time in exactly 100 games. After the impressive return to form at the weekend against Aston Villa, in which Liverpol fielded close to a full-strength side, they have a couple of players who may be fit for the squad, but no problems with any of the players who started at the weekend. Craig Bellamy® and Mark Gonzalez(sp) both missed out through injury at the weekend but are thought to have a reasonable chance of coming back into the squad, and should have fitness tests on the morning of the game. Whether either would start is doubtful, but the option of their two quickest players on the bench would be a boon for Liverpool. Currently, neither player seems likely to recover in time. At the back, Dan Agger(sp) was fit at the weekend and will once again be on the bench here, he could even replace Sami Hyypia® if Benitez does go for rotation. Left-back Fabio Aurleio(sp) has recovered well since the weekend, and could find himself back inthe squad. In midfield, Luis Garcia® was the additional player on top of the three more central men who make up Liverpool’s first choice midfield, and they could keep him in the side after a goalscoring performance, whiel the Champions League has generally been where he puts in his best Liverpool performances. Jermaine Pennant® and Bolo Zenden(sp) are the two main alternatives, and Pennant was impressive in the League Cup this time last week. In central midfield, both Stephen gerrard(k) and Momo Sissoko® are carrying knocks which would not normally rule tehm out, but either one could still be rested. In goal, meanwhile, Jerzy Dudek(sp) will be available as cover on the bench, despite his domestic suspension keeping him out at the weekend.

Suspended ----

Unavailable Mark Gonzalez (sp) (mid); Harry Kewell ® (mid);

Doubtful Fabio Aurelio (sp) (def); Stephen Gerrard (k) (mid); Momo Sissoko ® (mid); Craig Bellamy ® (att);

On the Bench Jerzy Dudek (sp) (gk); Daniel Agger (sp) (def); Gabriel Paletta (sp) (def); Luis Garcia ® (mid); Stephen Warnock (sp) (def); Boudewijn Zenden (sp) (mid); Robbie Fowler (sp) (att);

Probable Starting 11 Jose Reina, John Arne Riise, Sami Hyypia, Jamie Carragher, Steve Finnan, Momo Sissoko, Stephen Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Jermaine Pennant, Peter Crouch, Dirk Kuyt

 

Girondins de Bordeaux 4-4-2 ***

Enarkahire ® a doubt and Jurietti ®, Dalmat ®, Planus ® and Smicer all injured for crunch time for Bordeaux... It's make or break time for Bordeaux in this season's competition. After defeats to PSV and Liverpool in the home leg of this fixture as well as a goalless draw with Galatasaray, Girondins need a remarkable turnaround in the final three games if they are to progress from Group C. the first encounter between these two sides a fortnight ago exposed a worrying lack of quality in Ricardo's side and they will probably need to rely on good fortune as much as anything else if they are to get a result at Anfield. Not only that but Bordeaux have been pretty poor on the road this term, winning just once domestically on their travels, and that was back in August. Their squad could also be in better shape going into this game. Joseph Enarkahire ® sat out at the weekend and will again be touch and go for this one, potentially joining Stephane Dalmat, Marc Planus and Vladimir Smicer, who again misses the opportunity to play against his former club, in the treatment room. Franck Jurietti has also been ruled out with a knee injury. Although Johan Micoud (k) appears to be fully fit once again after his injury troubles. Recent form has also seen a slight improvement for Girondins who knocked Auxerre out of the Coupe de la Ligue last week before disposing of Sedan with relative ease at the weekend. After two successful partnerships in a row then, Lillian Laslandes ® and Jean-Claude Darcheville ® could be the preferred strike pairing in what should be a 4-4-2. There will be nothing to gain from sitting back, so expect an attacking display from Ricardo's side as they look to score for the first time in this season's competition. A worrying stat works against them though as Bordeaux have never beaten English opposition in five previous encounters. However, coach Ricardo did once oversee a French victory over the Reds when manager of Paris Saint Germain in season 1996/97.

 

Suspended ----

Unavailable Marc Planus ® (mid); Vladimir Smicer ® (att); Stephane Dalmat ® (mid);

Doubtful Joseph Enakarhire ® (def);

On the Bench Fernando ® (mid); Rio Mavuba ® (mid); Marouane Chamakh ® (att); Edixon Perea ® (att); Gabriel Obertan (sp) (att);

Probable Starting 11 Ulrich Rame, Gerald Cid, David Jemmali, Carlos Henrique, Alonso, Pierre Ducasse, Julien Faubert, Johan Micoud, Wendel, Jean-Claude Darcheville, Lillian Laslandes

 

Weather 6-12 oC

 

Referee Markus Merk (Ger)

[discuit]

thats just noise.

[Stu Monty]

I'm having a stroke.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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