Big E

If he's going to start then you'd expect him to start v Charlton to test his fitness and give him as many minutes as possible. It's also different starting a game vs coming on as sub. I think he's by far our best option at LM, but this is 4 or 5 games too early for him to be a starter. I think Rafa is more likely to be cautious, especially after last time, and so would expect Riise ahead of Arbeloa. Kewell to be an option off the bench if we need him. As for formation, i'd expect it'll either be 451 with Gerrard in a free role, or 442 with Gerrard on the right. Tough choices!

Was thinking this myself, and I think it's goals from all over the park that we need. If you're relying on a 30+ striker, as Chelsea have this year and utd did previously with RVN, then apart from the risk over injury it affects the overall goal threat from the team. I'm sure there have been positions this season where Pennant/Gonzales have had an opportunity to score dut didn't , whereas someone like Ronaldo/Giggs would. Other teams would be aware of this and therefore concentrate their energies on those more likely to do damage, this will result in less space for those who are the threat, and lessen their impact. As somebody mentioned before, it's scoring the first goal and taking the chances that we're most lacking. I think 70-75 goals should be enough, especially with the defence we have. It's all well and good saying a 1-0 gives you the same points than a 5-0, but at 1-0 you are still only a moment away from dropping 2 points and will undoubtably working less hard than when you are coasting at 3-0 and able to bring on subs without a major risk. Arsenal were a great example of this a few seasons ago, 3-0 up in 30 minutes then just take it easy. For those 75 goals I'd want to see 40+ from strikers, 30+ from midfield, and 10+ from the defence. I think our goal threat from defence is pretty poor, especially at set pieces, and Finnan's a 1 or 2 a season man. Carra/Agger are never going to score the number of goals you'd get from Terry or Gallas. As for midfield, only Gerrard can expect to get 10+ a season. Garcia/Kewell might hope, but the rest are again 5 a season men tops. With Alonso/Mascherano/Sissoko there's not much you can do as it's either their position on the pitch or their general attacking ability. Alonso could push further forwards, but how many extra goals would we concede? I'm in favour of giving Pennant more time, but I honestly don't ever see a real goal threat from him - one of the reasons why he's not in a higher price bracket. I'd rather see 2 goalscoring wingers than a new striker - Kaka +1 (Simao?) would be nice - but I'd be happy with one if we got a striker too. Don't see Kewell ever making it back properly and Gonzales looks like a winger version of Cisse - pace and thats about it (he doesn't even seem that fast to me) Up front it's clearly pace allied to a goal threat that we need. I'm assuming Kuyt/Crouch will still be here, but Fowler's off and I think Bellamy's golfing incident combined with his general lack of goals might see him off too. He's the type of quick player we need, if he'd scored another 5-10 in the prem he would have had more of a chance of staying. Eto'o would be the one for me of all the names linked so far, but Henry would be nice if he gets back near his best.. I think we find it easier at home as most teams sit back and allow us onto them, which suits our style of play. Away from home I think we're possibly a little too cautious, not that quick enough on the counter due to the lack of either pace or quality of our attackers. When the home team is pushing on, then a good counter can be lethal. Home or away though, I don't think we've scored the goals our play and possession has merited.

he'd be the player I'd want over any other, would be brilliant to have him on the left. our striking quartet isn't far from the top 2 in terms of goals. It's goals and creativity from midfield we need.

Here

Hope he didn't f*cking tell that rag a thing

Barbara Streisand

We booked on sportops. Tuesday 6am out of Luton, returning 8pm on Thursday. £739, but guarranteed manc free airports, planes and hotels.

as long as I get a refund I'd be happy. saying that, London's boring by comparison. You can't beat foreign beer in the sun

Personally, hope we have no more of it though. We're well known for using others comments to drive us on. Lets not fall into the same trap.

Of the side that played Chelsea, who's really at threat though? Arbeloa - early but maybe? Bellamy - the biggest risk? Zenden - gone anyway?

I like him, think he could become one of the best in the prem in a couple of positions. Finnan is getting on, and hopefully this is just a dip from Arbeloa unlike others such as Josemi/Kromkamp. If we don't get Alves Richards could definitely challange Finnan. I'd also see him as a great CB option. Even if Sami does stay we still need a class CB, and he'd give us a physical presence at the back. As good as Agger is, I could see Richards at CB instead. Pace, Strength, and comfortable on the ball. Can be the rock Sami is/was, as we're not the biggest at the back. He could also be great as part of a back 3 with Carra and Agger. Then Alvez and Riise/Arbeloa as wingbacks. Tasty! He would be expensive though, and we have other priorities.

Good to meet some of you guys at Trafalgar. Always nice to put a face to a name. Did you get to the ground ok? We got caught in that police escort.

and one from 202 as well!

video from the Albert: and an article from the Times tday: From The TimesApril 24, 2007 Atmosphere is unique Anfield calling card Our correspondent on the supporters who are really suited to the task of raising the roofTony Evans Two years ago, on the approach to Stamford Bridge, one of those moments you dread arrived. ?Headhunters,? my companion hissed. And there they were, surrounding us, fingering their calling cards. It was about to get ugly. The seconds that followed were a blur; the pain still almost tangible. They tried to recruit me for a leading financial institution in the City. The idea that Rupert and Tarquin thought I was a merchant banker makes me wince even now. Once, Stamford Bridge was an intimidating place. On the pitch, the players were uncompromising brutes with names like Micky, Tommy and Chopper. The supporters came from council flats in Battersea and had names like, well, Micky, Tommy and Chopper. Now the players have names like Claude, Ricardo and Hilário. Battersea has been gentrified and supporters at the Bridge have names like, well, Giles. And then there are the songs they sing. What visiting fan hasn?t felt a shiver of fear when the cry of ?One man went to mow!? rises up from the Matthew Harding Stand. Or, imagine what it is like being Frank Lampard and realising that, yes, they?ve thrown another man at that meadow. ?Come on Sheva, there?s eight of them mowing now. The grass doesn?t have a chance. That?s the sort of commitment we?ve got to match . . . Good Lord, it?s nine now ! Let?s win it for the nine . . . ten . . . and Spot.? Or is it part of the mad plan of Peter Kenyon, the chief executive, to turn Chelsea into the biggest club in the world by 2016? ?Right, at every kindergarten in the land they are singing our song. How many does that add to our fanbase? Millions. And we?ll get their kids, too. Take that, Manchester United!? To single out Stamford Bridge for a lack of atmosphere would be cruel, though. It is a problem across football, even at Anfield. But Liverpool supporters recognise this and have made massive efforts to keep their individuality with initiatives like Reclaim The Kop, a grassroots movement aimed at educating those not fully conversant with Kopite traditions. But compare the stadiums when Barcelona visited in this season?s Champions League. At Anfield last month, the stadium was in a frenzy. Many supporters prepared special flags for the occasion and the Kop was a bouncing wall of red. Barça were greeted by a wall of flags at the Bridge in October, too. Only these had been supplied by the club. It was contrived and proved that mere banners do not create the right mood in a stadium. People do. To this end, Liverpool supporters have something special in mind for the two ties over the next week. They have looked to Greece in the quest to reach Athens. Impressed by the fanaticism of PAOK fans and the catchy nature of one of their songs, Liverpool supporters have appropriated the tune and added their own lyrics, which will boom out of the old Shed End tomorrow and take the roof off the Kop next week. Apart from Anfield on Saturday, it hasn?t been heard before on Premiership grounds. It?s new and innovative but will carry the weight of history with it.

^ Hope so! :Edit cos i'm thick

This was brilliant in the Albert beforehand, we really got it going. You can debate the words all day if you want, these are ace and just fine. CAught on really well in the ground too i thought, people can just clap along till they know the words. I'll be signing this in trafalgar sq. Thank god for a new song at last!

good effort!

great song, deserves better words IMHO. how about this? Ooooohhhh can you hear us, You better fear us We're Liverpool In England and Europe* we're rising to the top... Drawing all our strength from the mighty spion Kop... *or 'At home and in Europe' when we've won the league again we can change it to 'we're back up at the top' Will sound great at away games when the home fans aren't singing - 'can you hear us....'

The thread about the 1850 seats seems to have been deleted from RAWK and RTK. Maybe it wasn't supposed to be mentioned and adult/child people have kicked off at the club?

Thanks. I had searched UEFA and others but didn't get that page

has anyone a link?

I was under the impression that the home leg was second but BBC says otherwise. Can anyone confirm? http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/e...res/default.stm

I said at the time we shouldn't have sold Warcock till the end of the season, just in case. Warnock/Riise is better then Riise/Gonzales. Maybe we'll see more of Arbeloa at left back

In any competition, and also in the league? Fowler?

In the interests of all supporters - especially those with young children - please remain seated during the game