Arsenal v Liverpool - Match Thread (CL)

[mrtommo]

Rafael Benitez has named his starting eleven to take on Arsenal for tonight's Champions League quarter final first leg showdown at the Emirates Stadium. 
The team in full for this evening's 7.45pm kick-off is:
 
Reina
Aurelio
Hyypia
Skrtel
Carragher
Mascherano
Alonso
Babel
Gerrard
Kuyt
Torres
 
Subs:
 
Itandje
Riise
Voronin
Benayoun
Crouch
Arbeloa
Lucas 

[RedWilly]

Dissapointed Crouch isn't starting, I think he would of caused Arsenal problems, with his height we would have dominated in the air, but this side has served us well in the last few games, so I got all my confidence in them, just hope Kuyt has his shooting boots on!

COME ON YOU REDS!

[ayrton77]

Not much change from the weekend then, no Riise but I'll hold back my tears there . As for the rest a good balance of solid defence and excellent attacking potential. I'm going for either 1-0 for us or 1-1, either of which would put is in good stead for the return leg! Still, a shame that Torres will be on his own a bit up front, as we saw from the Man U match that if they put 2-3 defenders on him for 90 minutes, even he will have trouble finding room to score!

[JD]

Kuyt again then.

Strong side.  Arguably Liverpool's strongest side, and with the return only of Mascherano from suspension another settled line up.

Lets be havin em!

[mrtommo]

Voronin anyone coming off the bench to score ?

[JD]

And according to the Prediction League users, the scoreline will be 1-1.

Arsenal - Liverpool

1-1      Percentage 40.6% [13]
0-1    Percentage 18.7% [6]
1-0    Percentage 9.3% [3]
0-2    Percentage 6.2% [2]
2-1    Percentage 6.2% [2]
0-0    Percentage 6.2% [2]
1-2    Percentage 6.2% [2]
1-3    Percentage 3.1% [1]
2-2    Percentage 3.1% [1]

[smigger15]

Voronin anyone coming off the bench to score ?

Errrr........No    Well happy with that team though, as JD says, probably our strongest

[rosscoveneyrules]

Strong team to start especially at the emirates.
If we can't either dominate or get a lead within 65 mins then crouch will be essential.
Come on lads lets get a 3-0

[solodee]

I guess its 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 then. We can do this. 2 - 0 Liverpool win.

I'm all 'butterflied' up. WoW! I should be used to this by now. Phew!!!

[chrislfc22]

will we be wearing our black and red kit tonight do you think?

[lil cisse]

Looks a strong side, hopefully Hyypia and Skrtel can play as well as they did against everton in stopping all of the chances that come about. We need mascherano to be his excellent performing self and we need all the players to step up and take this game by the scruff of the neck.

We can win this game we are more than capable and at least one or two away goals with a clean sheet would be fantastic.

[chrislfc22]

yes sopcast it is http://livefooty.doctor-serv.com/wed2.4/Arsenal_Liverpool.html

[JD]

You can get quite a surprising 3/1 for a Liverpool win tonight.

1-0 for the reds is 8/1 and a 2-1 win is as good as 12/1.

Dirk Kuyt, who may I remind you all is a striker, can be got for first scorer at a massive 16/1.  Peter Crouch is only 10/1 and he's on the bench.

Billy Hills seem to be the best bet if you're a confident red tonight.

[babel99]

cum on lads!!!! I live in london and have had contless phone calls from gooners talkin sh**! cum onnnnnnnnn

[glennusmc]

I'm a little irritated that Kuyt is playing, just due to the fact that his form has been awful. Rafa must have alot of faith in him, or see that he is contributing in some sort of way Well I'm no coach, nor any type of tactics guru, so I'm sure there is a reason to include Kuyt and leave out Crouchie. LETS GO LIVERPOOL !!

[chrislfc22]

I got torres 5/1 first goal