CHAMPION LEAGUE : Quater Final 1st Leg: PSV vs LIVERPOOL
EUROPEAN PEDIGREE
Liverpool's success in Europe is unrivalled in Britain and places them high on the continent's elite list. With five European Cups in their trophy cabinet, only Spanish giants Real Madrid, with nine, and AC Milan, who have six, have been more successful. Their famous comeback in Istanbul two years ago also gives them recent pedigree in the competition.
PSV's efforts in Europe have often been overshadowed by illustrious Ajax sides but with a Uefa Cup success from 1978 and Guus Hiddink leading the club to glory a decade later in the European Cup, they are not without history.
FORM
Liverpool's recent Premiership victory over rivals Arsenal could prove a huge boon to their chances against the Dutch side. A hat-trick of goals from the fit-again Peter Crouch and an unusually relaxed, confident brand of attacking football strengthened their grip on third place and spirits will be high for Rafael Benitez's men. Knocking out pre-tournament favourites Barcelona in the last round of this competition also bodes well.
PSV overcame Arsenal in the previous stage, giving them hope of progressing against strong English opposition but their league form is a concern. Although top of the Eredivisie, disappointing draws against NAC Breda and Excelsior Rotterdam, sandwiching a 5-1 hiding against Ajax, show limitations.
KEY MATCH-UPS
MANUEL DA COSTA v DIRK KUYT
PSV are struggling for numbers defensively with commanding Brazilian defender Alex and experienced full-back Michael Reiziger definitely out injured. Meanwhile Mexican defender Carlos Salcido has a hip problem but may have to play, and out of position at that in the centre of defence. As a result Portuguese defender Da Costa seems a likely starter, though the 20-year-old was at fault for the goal conceded by PSV in their 1-1 draw with NAC Breda at the weekend and was substituted.
Kuyt, the former Feyenoord striker, has shown already this season that he is a great all-round forward and that he possesses a cool head in front of goal.
JEFFERSON FARFAN v JAMIE CARRAGHER
Farfan is renowned for the danger he can pose on the break, although the Peruvian has yet to score in this season's Champions League despite finding the net 17 times in Dutch domestic football, most recently in the weekend draw with NAC. Carragher fulfils the same role for the Reds as Alex does when fit for PSV, relied upon to nullify the opposition's major attacking threat with his strong defensive instincts and ability to always get a vital foot in.
PHILLIP COCU v STEVEN GERRARD
Gerrard will rarely have come up against such a wily campaigner as 36-year-old Cocu. The former Barcelona man missed the group stage clashes with the Reds, with Gerrard helping his side seize the advantage in the Anfield meeting in November. Cocu may lack the dynamism of Gerrard in getting up and down the pitch but he is able to dictate the rhythm of PSV's play from the middle of the park, though depending on the extent of PSV's defensive crisis he may drop further back.
Liverpool's success in Europe is unrivalled in Britain and places them high on the continent's elite list. With five European Cups in their trophy cabinet, only Spanish giants Real Madrid, with nine, and AC Milan, who have six, have been more successful. Their famous comeback in Istanbul two years ago also gives them recent pedigree in the competition.
PSV's efforts in Europe have often been overshadowed by illustrious Ajax sides but with a Uefa Cup success from 1978 and Guus Hiddink leading the club to glory a decade later in the European Cup, they are not without history.
FORM
Liverpool's recent Premiership victory over rivals Arsenal could prove a huge boon to their chances against the Dutch side. A hat-trick of goals from the fit-again Peter Crouch and an unusually relaxed, confident brand of attacking football strengthened their grip on third place and spirits will be high for Rafael Benitez's men. Knocking out pre-tournament favourites Barcelona in the last round of this competition also bodes well.
PSV overcame Arsenal in the previous stage, giving them hope of progressing against strong English opposition but their league form is a concern. Although top of the Eredivisie, disappointing draws against NAC Breda and Excelsior Rotterdam, sandwiching a 5-1 hiding against Ajax, show limitations.
KEY MATCH-UPS
MANUEL DA COSTA v DIRK KUYT
PSV are struggling for numbers defensively with commanding Brazilian defender Alex and experienced full-back Michael Reiziger definitely out injured. Meanwhile Mexican defender Carlos Salcido has a hip problem but may have to play, and out of position at that in the centre of defence. As a result Portuguese defender Da Costa seems a likely starter, though the 20-year-old was at fault for the goal conceded by PSV in their 1-1 draw with NAC Breda at the weekend and was substituted.
Kuyt, the former Feyenoord striker, has shown already this season that he is a great all-round forward and that he possesses a cool head in front of goal.
JEFFERSON FARFAN v JAMIE CARRAGHER
Farfan is renowned for the danger he can pose on the break, although the Peruvian has yet to score in this season's Champions League despite finding the net 17 times in Dutch domestic football, most recently in the weekend draw with NAC. Carragher fulfils the same role for the Reds as Alex does when fit for PSV, relied upon to nullify the opposition's major attacking threat with his strong defensive instincts and ability to always get a vital foot in.
PHILLIP COCU v STEVEN GERRARD
Gerrard will rarely have come up against such a wily campaigner as 36-year-old Cocu. The former Barcelona man missed the group stage clashes with the Reds, with Gerrard helping his side seize the advantage in the Anfield meeting in November. Cocu may lack the dynamism of Gerrard in getting up and down the pitch but he is able to dictate the rhythm of PSV's play from the middle of the park, though depending on the extent of PSV's defensive crisis he may drop further back.
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