Besiktas V Liverpool

[Paco]

-----------------------------Reina---------------------------

 

Finnan------------Carragher---------Hyypia--------------Riise

 

 

Pennant----------Alonso-----------Gerrard--------------Babel

 

 

------------------Kuyt-------------Crouch--------------------

[shannow]

I'd like to see Finnan getting a rest and Aurelio getting another run out.. and to see what babel would be like up front.

 

--------------------------Reina-------------------------

Arbeloa--------Carragher---------Hyypia-------------Riise

----------------------Mascherano-----------------------

Pennant---------------Gerrard---------------------Aurelio

-----------------Crouch----------Babel--------------------

 

Alonso, Voronin & Benayoun coming on as subs

[Paco]

aurelio and arbeloa are injured

[rebel23]

anyonee know when Arbeloa is back?? he was a good player for us. we're getting seriously short of options in defence

[shannow]

Wasn't aurelio suppose to be back in time for the derby game as for Arbeloa, i thought he was just being rested.

[Paco]

teamtalk:

 

Fernando Torres has not recovered from a thigh injury in time to board the plane to Turkey for Liverpool's Champions League clash at Besiktas.

 

Torres has returned to training this week after the thigh problem that forced him out of Spain's squad last week, but the Turkey trip was considered too soon.

 

But Xabi Alonso was on the flight and has a chance of starting the game in midfield after recovering from a metatarsal problem.

 

Rafael Benitez will be without full-back Alvaro Arbeloa, who missed the win at Everton with a thigh injury. Daniel Agger, Harry Kewell and Fabio Aurelio are all still out.

 

Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Sissoko, Alonso, Pennant, Crouch, Voronin, Kuyt, Babel, Lucas, Hobbs, Itandje.

[Thants]

He should start with the lovelylucasleiva.

[shannow]

well that kind of hinders the option of Babel playing upfront.. but then again Rafa has been known to sometimes change his team about

[Paco]

He should start with the lovelylucasleiva.

 

he could start

[moxter]

Babel seems to have been relegated to the role of regular 'impact sub' (the level of impact is up for debate). I hope Alonso starts; rather suspect that Rafa will start more cautiously. Could even see the same midfield quartet as Saturday. Hmmmmm. Nah, fantasy Rafa in mind, I'm plumping for this:

 

Reina

Finnan - Carragher - Hyypia - Riise

Gerrard - Mascherano - Sissoko - Leto

Crouch - Kuyt

 

Subs: Itandje, Hobbs, Alonso, Benayoun, Pennant, Babel, Voronin

[silverlining]

Babel seems to have been relegated to the role of regular 'impact sub' (the level of impact is up for debate). I hope Alonso starts; rather suspect that Rafa will start more cautiously. Could even see the same midfield quartet as Saturday. Hmmmmm. Nah, fantasy Rafa in mind, I'm plumping for this:

 

Reina

Finnan - Carragher - Hyypia - Riise

Gerrard - Mascherano - Sissoko - Leto

Crouch - Kuyt

 

Subs: Itandje, Hobbs, Alonso, Benayoun, Pennant, Babel, Voronin

 

If he starts with the hapless Leto, the hopeless Sissoko, or the listless Crouch I will cry big, babyish tears.

[Red Nick]

--------------------Reina--------------------

Finnan--------Carra-----------Sami--------Riise

Gerrard-------Xabi-----------Mascher------Pennant

---------------Babel---------Kuyt---------------

 

Need pace on the counter attack so babel has to play in my book. Also its an evening kick off so he should be able to get out of bed in time

[Paco]

--------------------Reina--------------------

Finnan--------Carra-----------Sami--------Riise

Gerrard-------Xabi-----------Mascher------Pennant

---------------Babel---------Kuyt---------------

 

Need pace on the counter attack so babel has to play in my book. Also its an evening kick off so he should be able to get out of bed in time

 

i like that team

[robbief]

i like that team

 

as much as i'd like to, i can't see that getting played.

[RedinSweden]

If he starts with the hapless Leto, the hopeless Sissoko, or the listless Crouch I will cry big, babyish tears.

 

I hope he plays all three, you cry, pass out and get carried away by a passing giant buzzard and taken to a place without the internet.

[mcflynn]

--------------------Reina--------------------

Finnan--------Carra-----------Sami--------Riise

Gerrard-------Xabi-----------Lucas------Babel

---------------Voronin---------Kuyt---------------

[aws]

Reina

Finn Carra Sami JAR

Xabi Mascher

Pennant Lucas Yossi

Crouch

[Paco]

Reina

Finn Carra Sami JAR

Xabi Mascher

Pennant Lucas Yossi

Crouch

 

controversial

[sh#t waffle]

Reina

Finn Carra Sami JAR

Xabi Mascher

Pennant Lucas Yossi

Crouch

 

I like that team. He better give Lucas the whole fucking 90 though, otherwise there'll be murder.

[Paul]

What's up with Albert?

[Thants]

What's up with Albert?

 

Sounds like a 50's BBC Radio sitcom.

[Paul]

Sounds like a 50's BBC Radio sitcom.

 

What do you mean "sounds like"? It was an hilarious ensemble piece with Tony Hancock, Joyce Grenfell and Arthur Askey. It's ace.

[Hermes]

This is a very average team we are up against here. Any team Rafa picks should be able to see them off. Yes, so were Marseille, but another aberration in the same group is not something I'm worried about.

[Red Sun Rising]

Henry Winter has a go at Fantasy Rafa:

 

Jamie Carragher and particularly Sami Hyypia will need the protection of Javier Mascherano in front of them. Mascherano may be partnered by Xabi Alonso, now fit following metatarsal trouble, with Gerrard breaking forward in support of Dirk Kuyt. Ryan Babel and Jermaine Pennant are expected to provide the width while restraining Besiktas' attacking full-backs.

[lifetime fan]

That sounds like Kuyt up top on his own with Gerrard just off him, I can't say that feels me with confidence.