Liverpool v Marseille (CL) - Match Thread

[EddieC]

 

Liverpool v Marseille

Wednesday October 3rd - 19.45

Coverage on Sky Sports 2 from 6pm

Our European campaign continues on Wednesday with a match against group leaders Marseille. It might still be early on but for me a win is a must in this game, even those with the lowest of expectations should agree on that. Nasri is out for them with a virus, he's not expected to start training until next week. No new injuries reported as yet for us, Agger, Alonso and (surprise surprise) Kewell are all still missing.

I would go with:

                     Reina

Finnan  Carragher   Arbeloa   Aurelio

Benayoun Gerrard  Sissoko    Babel

               Crouch  Torres

In central defence I feel Arbeloa will be much better equipped to deal with Cisse's pace than Hyypia and so would go with him. In central midfield Zenden will quite likely play, if this is the case I would like to see Sissoko up against him. Going by his time with us Zenden won't be able to deal with being pressured & should give up possession easily, and you know Momo will give him no time on the ball if instructed to do so.

That aside, we're talking about a team that's in the bottom half of a crap league, so I wouldn't worry too much about how they play & just play to our strengths. I do think Torres should start this one, but Rafa should break the habit of a lifetime & sub him at half time if the game's wrapped up, so there can be no risk of him being tired for the game against Spurs. Like I said, should be a comfortable win although nothings guaranteed in football, I'll go for 3-0.

[Cy]

Marseille has been very poor this season so far and will bet everything on that champions league campaign, away from home they are defo a side we can take on and a win is a must.

The fact that nasri is not playing is  a bonus for us, the lad is very talented. Cisse will probably want to do well and by wanting to do so might just getting frustrated very quickly if he doesn't get the ball where he wants it. I agree with Arbeloa as a center forward a good call that. Crouch to start could pose problem for their defense as they don't usually deal with that style of players. Weak league surely, crap league certainly not...

[Chitose]

Weak league surely, crap league certainly not...

Totally agree, they have quality players too, just... not as quality as England league, that's all! (Of course, Premier League's players's quality is the best in the world).

Narsi, a talented one, but I wonder if he will still stay at Marseille after the winter transfer (Bayern might attack again, like the way they did with Ribery, poor Marseille!), I'm glad that he'll not be out.

I think Hyypia still fit perfectly in the center-back, along side with Carrager, with Carrager and Hyypia, LiverpoolFC will always have good chances from corners, so I will put Arbeloa in the left back, Aurelio's last performance don't really impress me. In the winger, Pennant and Babel will be no problem, shame for Riise, he can't play at his best in all the matchs that he can play, I still hope he will be in the starting lineup (chance is about 20%). Gerrard and Sissoko is not bad, with Zendel in the centre, It will be a real trouble, the trouble is they just understand too well each others, so I'm thinking to put Leiva along side with Gerrard, I want to see him play more to see how much potential he got, he's not bad. In the font, rotation, Voronin and Crouch, that's 68%.

                                 Reina

Finnan          Carrager              Hyypia             Arbeloa

Pennant        Gerrard               Leiva           Babel/ Riise

                     Crouch           Voronin

About the score, 2-0 will do!

[mrtommo]

Throughout history, never once has a French football team managed to defeat the Reds at Anfield. The best ever result was a draw, earned by… OM.
 
Nine matches, no defeats. That’s Liverpool’s home record against French clubs in European competition. None of eight clubs have ever returned from the Mersey with a win. Worse still, Liverpool have only conceded a miserly two goals against French opposition: Dominique Bathenay during Saint-Etienne’s 3-1 loss in 1977 and Didier Drogba, for OM in 2004 (1-1).
Despite the paltry results of the French clubs against the Reds, OM remain undefeated at Anfield. The only prior meeting was in the last 16 of the UEFA Cup in 2004 where José Anigo’s side came away with an honourable 1-1 draw, thanks to Drogba’s strike.
Apart from that draw, every other French side has returned on the back of a loss, the last being Toulouse’s 4-0 mauling in the 3rd qualifying round of this season’s Champions League.

Not a bad stat above and lets hope we can add to that and earn a decent 3 points.

Liverpool will be missing Alonso, Agger - due to injuries and Pennant who is suspended.
OM, unfortunately for them but good news for us, Samir Nasri is siffering from a virus and has been hospitalised since late last week and is out of clash against Liverpool.

A welcome return to Ciise and Zendon who will be back at Anfield for the first time since leaving us.

I'm not going to predict the team - my crystal ball is working flat out for the lottery numbers for me (easier to pick the winning numbers, than naming Rafa's team)
I'm going for a 3 - 1 win, with us going behind to a Ciise goal in front of the Kop.
Our forwards will then kick into action, and show Ciise they are worthy replacements.
Kuyt and Torres 2.

[EddieC]

I think Hyypia still fit perfectly in the center-back

So you don't think his lack of pace will be an issue?

Oh, and Pennant's suspended.

[jammydodger]

I have a feeling that Torres won't start this one - as I think Rafa will prefer to have him "fresh" against Spurs.

[EddieC]

I have a feeling that Torres won't start this one - as I think Rafa will prefer to have him "fresh" against Spurs.

I think you might be right there, he's likely to play him against Spurs & then possibly rest him against Everton away where they're bound to kick lumps out of him. That said though he seemed to do well against Reading when they used those tactics, so who knows? I'd hope Rafa's learned from the Brum game & plays Torres, but like I said before takes him off as soon as the game's won.

[Magillionare]

^^^ yup exactly what I was thinking, im not too sure about crouch this season, if he doesnt score or at least impress, I think he is cemented in 4th in the pecking order, then again he does usually score in the CL. Personaly I hope he does score, it will boost his confidence and make everyone else raise there game hopefully

[Chitose]

So you don't think his lack of pace will be an issue?

Well, not really, his performance in the match with Wigan is really good, I don't think that there's any problem here!

Oh, and Pennant's suspended.

I completely forgot that! sorry and thanks! So I will put Pennant in the right winger in Riise will be in the left, his chance to be in the starting lineup is now about 35%.

[EddieC]

I completely forgot that! sorry and thanks! So I will put Pennant in the right winger

Nope, still suspended.

[Magillionare]

I would but yossi on the right wing as Eddie has pointed out..."Pennants suspended"

[EddieC]

Well, not really, his performance in the match with Wigan is really good, I don't think that there's any problem here!

Yes, but we're not playing Wigan again on Wednesday, we're playing Marseille who happen to have a very pacey striker in Cisse. Hyypia's lack of pace wasn't shown up in the Wigan game because they didn't have a pacey striker, and that is why I suggested him for that game in the match thread. This game will be completely different.

[Chitose]

Nope, still suspended.

Sorryyy, I completely lost my mind when I tape It! I mean I put Babel in the right and Riise in le left winger! sorry again!
Man! You should become a manager yourself! EddieC!

[Magillionare]

Im pretty sure riise will play, one thing about rafa is that players, may not always play, but he doesnt like to leave people out completly, so id image he will start either left back or preferably left midfield

[EddieC]

Im pretty sure riise will play, one thing about rafa is that players, may not always play, but he doesnt like to leave people out completly, so id image he will start either left back or preferably left midfield

Going by his woeful performances of late I bloody well hope not. I'd also disagree about Rafa not liking to leave players out completely, quite often we see players have a blinder then they're not even on the bench for the next game.

[Magillionare]

no that not what I mean, he rotates so that even players who you might not expect to play will play more matches that they might get at other clubs, I.e. everyone in the first team usually gets a chance to proove their worth, he seems to put that ahead of form actually.

[EddieC]

I don't think it's a case of getting a chance, I believe Rafa puts out the team he thinks will be best for each game, depending on a players skills set he may or may not get a game. The way Riise's playing at the moment I can't see what he has to offer ahead of any of the other choices for LB or LM.

[AussieRed]

Eddie, I agree with your team but I think Rafa will rest Torres and play Crouch and Voronin up front. That's the only difference I see and thats the one I'll be putting in Fantasy raa....I'm sick of getting 7's all the time....it's time for an 11. C'mon Rafa...I think I've got you sussed for this game.....

[Magillionare]

I don't think it's a case of getting a chance, I believe Rafa puts out the team he thinks will be best for each game, depending on a players skills set he may or may not get a game. The way Riise's playing at the moment I can't see what he has to offer ahead of any of the other choices for LB or LM.

Emm actually I think your right eddie mate, very well said, you no your stuff anyway thats for sure

[Brian78]

For this game id go with Arbeloa at centre half as Cisse could give sami a hard time with his pace

                                                 Reina
Finnan                   arbeloa                    carra              Riise

Yossi                    Stevie                      momo             babel

                 torres                      voronin


They seem  to be struggling domestically but still wouldnt underestimate them

[Rafa La Bamba]

Sod it, we should go all out attack

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

------------Arbeloa--Carra--Hyypia

------------------Mascherano
------------Lucas------------Gerrard
-------------------Benayoun

--------------Kuyt--Torres--Babel

Think about it, who'd come close to touching that team? Solid in the middle with extra creativity from Benayoun, two brilliant young players in Mascherano and Lucas, and then up front Kuyt and Babel feeding Torres! YUM!
Too attacking wise for Rafa though!

[Basti]

Marseille has got a good team!!!

                                                 Reina
Finnan                  Carragher                Hyypia            Riise

Yossi                   Gerrard                   Sissoko             babel

                 Torres                      voronin

Nasri will not play, a very good news... It's the next ribery!
Is Cisse going to play?? You all know that it's an excelent striker!

[JD]

Considering Cisse has been amongst the best players in a woeful looking Marseille (so far) then he will be bang on to play.

Probably score a hat-trick.

To be followed by

Fowler scoring a hat-trick in a couple of weeks.

Who else have we sold?

Michael Owen to score a hat-trick (whilst on crutches) against us knocking us out of the FA Cup?

Oh joy.

[jammydodger]

Considering Cisse has been amongst the best players in a woeful looking Marseille (so far) then he will be bang on to play.

Probably score a hat-trick.

To be followed by

Fowler scoring a hat-trick in a couple of weeks.

Who else have we sold?

Michael Owen to score a hat-trick (whilst on crutches) against us knocking us out of the FA Cup?

Oh joy.

Uh-oh, looks like you've got that "Marvin the Paranoid Android" worm off EddieC.

Looks like we need JD 2.0 

You miserable bugger! Cisse might fluke one, but he won't score any more because he won't get the ball. Our midfield and defence will stifle his service.

I'm confident of a home-win, but I'm crap at score-lines, so I'll stick with that.

[GERNS]

I almost agree with EDDIEC's team but I think Mascerano would be a beter option than Momo to start as his distribution is better, Swap them over when it's won as with Torres. Unless Mash is injured, Any one know?   I think 3-0 is a bit bold, I think 2-0 then we'll take our foot off the gas as usual.

[Saffi 7]

Im guessing no Kuyt or Hyypia with Babel returning for suspended Pennant. Yossi to come off the bench again. But, as we know by now, Rafa will confound even the most well thought out starting 11 pundit...

[JD]

Vote added to the top of this thread.

[Saffi 7]

I read the comments Hyypia made on lfc.tv and he was talking about how dangerous Cisse can be but also about how HE will defend against him. Obviously Rafa picks the team, but Sami sounded awfully confident of starting. Does he know something? Fantasy leaguers take note!

[-M-E-G-]

I watched the game Marseille - Besiktas . Actually I am Turkish and real faln of Galatasaray but my European team is Liverpool.

Marseille plays for injure players. Cisse make Ricardinho injured. They didnt make Besiktas play with fouls but they werent too good. Cisse was uneffective. In general they play slowly but made no mistake in defence. Cana is a great captain, managed his team well.

Liverpool should be careful for Nasri and Ziani. I am sure that Liverpool will beat Marseille easily(I guess 2-0) but I hope there wont be any injured people.

By the way Besiktas is out of form. I am expecting a high score from Liverpool like 4-0 5-0. They dont have a good midfielder except Matias Delgado but Delgado doesnt play on his exact position. Ricardinho is injured either.

[mrtommo]

Link : http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N157178071002-1756.htm

Djibril Cisse's dream of returning to haunt his old team at Anfield could be ruined by injury. 
The French striker was unable to train until Monday afternoon and is a doubt to start against Liverpool on Wednesday.
 
Marseille manager Eric Gerets said: "Unfortunately he has had an injury so only practised yesterday. We will have to see if that is enough to start the game or come in as a substitute."
 
Meanwhile, the Belgian coach revealed he has sought advice from Cisse and Bolo Zenden on how to approach the game.
 
He joked: "It's important if you have two players who have played for Liverpool in the past, and I just hope the things they have told me are right, otherwise they will get a big punishment!"
 
Wednesday's fixture will be the first in charge for Gerets, who was appointed last week following the sacking of Albert Emon.
 
He added: "What a fantastic opportunity it is to start off your career here at Anfield against a team like Liverpool in the Champions League.
 
"They are one of the best teams in Europe with a top-draw manager who's proved himself with everything he's achieved in Europe. They deserve all of our respect."
 
Gerets was in charge of the Galatasary side that took on Liverpool in last year's Champions League. 


I for one have mixed feelings about this statement.
Is Gerets trying mind games ahead of the match, and lulling Liverpool into thinking Ciise won't start - thus playing Hyypia.
Or is he genuinely injured and gutted that he won't start the game, if play at all ?

I really hope, that if he is injured, he will at some stage make an appearance on the pitch and take the applause he deserves.
But it will be good news for us if he doesn't start or play - due to the fact, we all know what he is capable of, and how many of us have that feeling of a Ciise goal ?