Pre Match: Debrecen v Liverpool (CL)

Fair comment. It's just that I heard that Lyon fielded a weakened team at the weekend in preparation for their match against Fiorentina which, if true, suggests that they are going to try to win it. I'm confident that we can go to Debrecen and get the result we need so yeah, I'm optimistic.

Let's hope you're right to be!

"Aquilani is in the squad so he can play. It depends. The team has some players in his position now - Gerrard coming back and the two midfielders (Lucas and Mascherano) doing well, but he'll have his chances.
  
"We want him as soon as possible but we have to manage with the squad."

Ummm what? This means Aquilani is no longer a health issue.  This basically means Rafa is choosing to start Lucas over Aquilani in the squad.  How the hell is Aquilani going to show is potential and build the confidence and player awareness on the pitch if Rafa continues to start Lucas with Aquilani healthy? 

Am I reading this correctly?

That's how it read to me as well

We'll get a result tonight no doubt about it.

Ummm what? This means Aquilani is no longer a health issue.  This basically means Rafa is choosing to start Lucas over Aquilani in the squad.  How the hell is Aquilani going to show is potential and build the confidence and player awareness on the pitch if Rafa continues to start Lucas with Aquilani healthy?  

Am I reading this correctly?

I think he is saying that because Aquilani still isnt fully ready, I doubt he would spend 20 mil on him and sit him on the bench without giving him a chance to show what he can do. Plus in the few minutes he has played for us he didn't exactly put in the worst performance, he did some good passes and looked good, so I don't see why Rafa would choose Lucas over him.

I think he is saying that because Aquilani still isnt fully ready, I doubt he would spend 20 mil on him and sit him on the bench without giving him a chance to show what he can do. Plus in the few minutes he has played for us he didn't exactly put in the worst performance, he did some good passes and looked good, so I don't see why Rafa would choose Lucas over him.

I hope you're right mate

Anybody contemplated us not winning tonight?

Has everyone removed sharp objects from their house?

Anybody contemplated us not winning tonight?

Has everyone removed sharp objects from their house?

Actually, I havn't thought about us losing. Ive just been praying that Lyon get the result, I been a little too expectant on us winning this game I think.

"Aquilani is in the squad so he can play. It depends. The team has some players in his position now - Gerrard coming back and the two midfielders (Lucas and Mascherano) doing well, but he'll have his chances.
  
"We want him as soon as possible but we have to manage with the squad."

Ummm what? This means Aquilani is no longer a health issue.  This basically means Rafa is choosing to start Lucas over Aquilani in the squad.  How the hell is Aquilani going to show is potential and build the confidence and player awareness on the pitch if Rafa continues to start Lucas with Aquilani healthy?  

Am I reading this correctly?

It doesn't really matter what views you,me the world and his wife have about Aquilanos' fitness status the only man who is privy to the relevent data is the manager and he again is the only person qualified to select the player when he feels the time is right for it.

Anybody contemplated us not winning tonight?

Has everyone removed sharp objects from their house?

Don't even go there JD, mind you I won't be watching the match in my house.

I'm not coming on here if we lose, it will be hell on earth, BUT we're not gonna lose.

I make it about 3 hours 52 minutes to go.

Reds will rise to occasion-Danny Murphy

I think that Liverpool have a very good chance of winning at Debrecen. Even without Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel, the impact of a fit Steven Gerrard in the side will be massive.

He always has the ability to spur on players around him and bring out the best in his team-mates.

Liverpool have the ability to rise to the occasion when it really matters. Liverpool must approach the game in the right frame of mind as games like this are never easy.

Given that Liverpool must really win the game, they will approach it in an attacking manner and with a higher intensity than we have seen from them of late. If they put pressure on Debrecen from the first whistle, then they have every opportunity of progressing should the Lyon-Fiorentina result go their way.

It is difficult going into a game knowing that your destiny depends on another result, but that shouldn't affect the focus of the Liverpool players. All they can do is concentrate on their game and ensure that they give themselves the best possible opportunity to progress with a win.

I don't think Rafael Benitez should be concerned for his job at this stage. Liverpool had a great season last year, and they have the squad to get them through to the next stage of the Champions League.

Benitez is the type of character who is forward-focused and always positive. He will still see opportunities for Liverpool this season such as the FA Cup, which is a fantastic trophy to win, and securing a Champions League spot for next season.

The Liverpool fans will be behind the manager and believing this a season they can rekindle, and find the kind of form we know they can produce.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/football/danny-murphy/article/1954/

Nice hearing that from you Danny!

Always nice to hear from an ex player NOT slagging us off

Like to see this team tonight (probably not going to happen though!)

                         Reina
Johnson     Carra          Agger     Aurelio
                Masch         Lucas
 Gerrard             Aquilani            Benayoun
                        Ngog   

Like to see this team tonight (probably not going to happen though!)

                         Reina
Johnson     Carra          Agger     Aurelio
                Masch         Lucas
 Gerrard             Aquilani            Benayoun
                        Ngog   

At a guess (and Rafa is a hard man to guess) it will be more like....

                         Reina
Johnson     Carra          Agger     Aurelio
                Masch         Lucas
 Kuyt                                   Benayoun
                    Gerrard
                             Ngog

with Aquilani coming on for half an hour at the end.

Lyon and Fiorentina both won easily over there - if we dont smash these up then we have serious problems.

Nerves kicking in now.

I just hope we go straight at them tonight and not let them settle and we we will be okay.

Nerves kicking in now.

I hate this time of day, just waiting for a match to begin. So impatient.

I'm a bit concerned about us taking the lead early tonight. Might sound stupid, but we can't afford to step off the gas. Our mindset has proved otherwise in recent times when we get a lead.

Regardless of what goes on in the other game, our game is going to be a tense one tonight if we don't come out pumped up and totally focused for the whole game.

It's time for our players to play like their life depends on it. And I expect to see it.

If we get out of this hole, I'll be very proud of the lads for turning it around. If we don't, then we'll just have demolish the bitters on Sunday.

So could someone shed some light on what scenarios over the last 2 games would take us through?

So could someone shed some light on what scenarios over the last 2 games would take us through?

Well, we are out as long as Fiorentina beats Lyon even if we beat Fiorentina and Debrecen.

The table would look like Fiorentina 13, Lyon 10, Liverpool 10 and Debrecen whatever points.
Even if we have a better goal difference (I.e. we go on rampage against Debrecen and Fiorentina), Lyon would beat us to 2nd spot because they beat us 2-1 at Anfield and drew 1-1 in France. So there's like a mini table between us and Lyon which looks like this right now Lyon 4, Liverpool 1.

Let me just TRY to break it up to those who might not understand.

So, we can only qualify depending on the Lyon-Fiorentina game and provided we beat Debrecen

Fiorentina win
We are definitely out

Fiorentina draw
(After Lyon-Fiorentina but before Liverpool-Fiorentina)
Lyon 11
Fiorentina 10
Liverpool 7
Debrecen ??

If we win
Lyon 14
Liverpool 10
Fiorentina 10
Debrecen ??

However, we will only qualify if we win 3-0 or any win with a 3 goal margin (4-1,5-2, etc). If we win 2-0, our goal difference and Fiorentina's would be looked at.

Fiorentina lose
(After Lyon-Fiorentina but before Liverpool-Fiorentina)
Lyon 13
Fiorentina 9
Liverpool 7
Debrecen ??

If we win
Lyon 16
Liverpool 10
Fiorentina 9
Debrecen ??

If Fiorentina loses to Lyon, we just need to beat them with any margin.

Ahhh cheers mate
Confusing though haha