LIVERPOOL VS PSV Eindhoven (CL Q-Final 2nd leg)
| Start : | Apr 11, '07 |
| Location: | Anfield, Liverpool |
Steven Gerrard could be the shock omission as Liverpool ring the changes in the Champions League tomorrow night.
The English club have virtually guaranteed a semi-final berth after their 3-0 first leg victory at PSV Eindhoven, and while manager Rafa Benitez insists on a ruthless attitude for the second leg, he could give his skipper a much needed break.
Gerrard is the only player to have started every match for Liverpool since the meaningless final Champions League group game with Galatasaray back in early December.
With Javier Mascherano proving a sensation in midfield, and with Jermaine Pennant coming into form on the right flank, Gerrard could be saved for the semi-final against either Chelsea or Valencia.
Benitez is also without the suspended Dirk Kuyt but can call on the services of Momo Sissoko, who missed the first leg through suspension.
Gerrard has missed only four games all season, two in the Champions League and two in the Carling Cup, and after a hectic international schedule with England, he is desperately due a rest.
Liverpool boss Benitez said: "We cannot go into the game thinking that a draw will be enough.
"We have to do what we did against Barcelona in the last round - go into the second leg believing that only a win will be enough for us to progress. If we do that, and we are hungry, then we can kill the tie off.
"We know there have been comebacks from 3-0 down in the Champions League - we did it in Istanbul! We have to be vigilant.
"These kind of games are difficult. Sometimes teams say 'OK, the job is done'. But we know if they score an early goal they will push forward and we could have problems.
"There is no way we want to let them into the tie."
Editor's Notes
Despite many speculations suggesting that Steven Gerrard might be sitting this one out, I reckon he will still be leading the team out for the game.
Rafa Benitez has warned the squad against complacency as they did in last season's game against Benfica and has time and again reminded the players that 'its still possible to get back from 0-3 down, because we had done it before'. But more so, Rafa would want the team to send out a message to the rest of Europe and re-create the 'Fear-Factor' of opposing teams visiting Anfield. Letting them know loud and clear that 'Anfield is our yard and when you come to our yard, we will have to let the dogs out!'
Having this fear-factor instilled in opposing team is just as good as winning a psychological battle or rather being 1-0 up. With the further vociferous support from the home fans, it will definitely be boosted further.
As such I imagine we might see an almost full-strength team lining up for this encounter. Pepe Reina will remain in goal, Daniel Agger will be recalled to partner Jamie Carragher but only this time I figure that Rafa will be planning another surprise for PSV. Alvaro Arbeloa could be the third centre back deployed as Liverpool go for the tried 3-5-2 formation.
On the wing-backs would be John Arne Riise and Steve Finnan providing the width and the crosses. In the centre of the park would be the partnership of Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso with Steven Gerrard playing behind the twin strikers of Craig Bellamy and Peter Crouch. Should Liverpool get into the lead, Jermaine Pennant could be introduce and Gerrard probably rested as Liverpool switched to the 4-4-2. I sense that if all goes to plan, Robbie Fowler might be given the chance to celebrate his belated birthday with a European appearance and perhaps a brace. Mark Gonzalez might also get a run in the final minutes.
The English club have virtually guaranteed a semi-final berth after their 3-0 first leg victory at PSV Eindhoven, and while manager Rafa Benitez insists on a ruthless attitude for the second leg, he could give his skipper a much needed break.
Gerrard is the only player to have started every match for Liverpool since the meaningless final Champions League group game with Galatasaray back in early December.
With Javier Mascherano proving a sensation in midfield, and with Jermaine Pennant coming into form on the right flank, Gerrard could be saved for the semi-final against either Chelsea or Valencia.
Benitez is also without the suspended Dirk Kuyt but can call on the services of Momo Sissoko, who missed the first leg through suspension.
Gerrard has missed only four games all season, two in the Champions League and two in the Carling Cup, and after a hectic international schedule with England, he is desperately due a rest.
Liverpool boss Benitez said: "We cannot go into the game thinking that a draw will be enough.
"We have to do what we did against Barcelona in the last round - go into the second leg believing that only a win will be enough for us to progress. If we do that, and we are hungry, then we can kill the tie off.
"We know there have been comebacks from 3-0 down in the Champions League - we did it in Istanbul! We have to be vigilant.
"These kind of games are difficult. Sometimes teams say 'OK, the job is done'. But we know if they score an early goal they will push forward and we could have problems.
"There is no way we want to let them into the tie."
Editor's Notes
Despite many speculations suggesting that Steven Gerrard might be sitting this one out, I reckon he will still be leading the team out for the game.
Rafa Benitez has warned the squad against complacency as they did in last season's game against Benfica and has time and again reminded the players that 'its still possible to get back from 0-3 down, because we had done it before'. But more so, Rafa would want the team to send out a message to the rest of Europe and re-create the 'Fear-Factor' of opposing teams visiting Anfield. Letting them know loud and clear that 'Anfield is our yard and when you come to our yard, we will have to let the dogs out!'
Having this fear-factor instilled in opposing team is just as good as winning a psychological battle or rather being 1-0 up. With the further vociferous support from the home fans, it will definitely be boosted further.
As such I imagine we might see an almost full-strength team lining up for this encounter. Pepe Reina will remain in goal, Daniel Agger will be recalled to partner Jamie Carragher but only this time I figure that Rafa will be planning another surprise for PSV. Alvaro Arbeloa could be the third centre back deployed as Liverpool go for the tried 3-5-2 formation.
On the wing-backs would be John Arne Riise and Steve Finnan providing the width and the crosses. In the centre of the park would be the partnership of Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso with Steven Gerrard playing behind the twin strikers of Craig Bellamy and Peter Crouch. Should Liverpool get into the lead, Jermaine Pennant could be introduce and Gerrard probably rested as Liverpool switched to the 4-4-2. I sense that if all goes to plan, Robbie Fowler might be given the chance to celebrate his belated birthday with a European appearance and perhaps a brace. Mark Gonzalez might also get a run in the final minutes.
- Probable line-up: Reina; Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger; Finnan, Alonso, Gerrard, Mascherano, Riise; Bellamy, Crouch.
- Substitutes: Dudek, Sissoko, Fowler, Hyypia, Pennant, Gonzalez, Zenden.
- Prediction: 3-0 (Crouch, Bellamy, Fowler)
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