Alonso

Here ya go! Football 19.50 - 22.00 Uninterrupted commentary on Liverpool v Reading in the third round of the Carling Cup.

Reina Peltier Paletta Agger Warnock Anderson Guthrie Zenden Aurelio Lindfield Fowler Subs: Roberts Hobbs Crouch Pennant El Zhar

Sky are also linking us with Gonzalo Higuain: Gonzalo Higuain is being lined up for a move to England, according to Pini Zahavi - who now controls half of the River Plate starlet. Zahavi, along with a group of investors, has finalised a deal with River Plate for a reported $6 million (£3.2 million). Now the Israeli super-agent has confirmed that a move to England is looking the most likely option for a player who over the past few months has attracted scouts from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Lazio, Milan and Internazionale. Higuain emerged as a real star of Argentine football earlier this month when he bagged two goals in River's 3-1 'Superclasico' derby win over arch-rivals Boca Juniors. "The boy is special," beamed Zahavi. "He is big, strong and well suited to the English game. English football has become stronger than Italy and Spain and players want to try it for themselves." Zahavi admitted buying a big stake in a player as young as Higuain, just 18 - was a risk. "I recommend players to investors," he expanded to the Daily Express. "The idea is to locate them when they are young on the way to the top, the risk is bigger but they cost less." While a tug of war for his services looks set to ensue in the near future, a battle over his international future has already begun. Although he has spent virtually all his life in Argentina, Higuain was actually born in France as his father Jorge was plying his trade as a footballer there. Now France are hot on the trail of one of the brightest prospects in South America and - as with David Trezeguet - are hopeful the player will snub Argentina. "We know the player, and he is interesting," French coach Raymond Domenech opined recently. "One does not play at that level if he does not have talent and the second quality is that he could be French. "He is a player we are going to follow closely. But we can select him at any time as he is French." Higuain has thus far refused all call-ups to the Argentina youth set-up - but the player is yet to disclose a preference for either country.

Looks like it'll be some first teamers mixed in with some youngsters: Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez says he will field a strong side on Wednesday as the club seeks to continue its great tradition in the League Cup. The game against Reading comes in a period when the Reds are playing two games every week. But although some senior players may be rested, Rafa insists he'll select an eleven capable of progressing to the next round. "I think we need to think about every competition as an option and a target," said the Spaniard. "The Carling Cup is a good competition for us. We were in the final two years ago and we want to win for sure. "Youngsters can be an option but we have some senior players that are not playing a lot of games and we will see if they can be involved. Our idea is to use a very strong team if it's possible." Here

Reina Finnan Carragher Hyypia Warnock Gerrard Alonso Sissoko Riise Kuyt Bellamy Subs: Dudek Agger Aurelio Garcia Crouch I think we'll need pace up front for the counter so Bellamy's in for that. Kuyt should also be raring to go now after shaking of his ankle knock and IMO he provides more options than Crouch and should give their backline more problems. Plus Crouch has had a heavy schedule the last few weeks with England and us and maybe feeling the effects. We're gonna need a strong midfield that also gives protection down the flanks what with Ronaldo and Giggs in good form hence Gerrard on the right and Riise supporting Warnock on the left. The only other question is whether Hyypia will play if Agger is now fit, what with Agger being fresher and more mobile against the pace and strength of Saha and Rooney.

Suppose it depends on whether Rafa sees us playing more on the counter. If he does then I'd pressume it'd be Bellamy and AN Other. Yes Gonzalez is quick but if he's doing his defensive duties he'll be tracking back providing support to Riise and won't have as much freedom or be as high up or as central on the pitch as Bellamy.

Give him a deecent run in a settled side and I'm sure he'll be fine. We saw how good he was at Sociedad and Rafa has been waxing lyrical about him since trying to sign him. He's only started 4 games for us this season (with us playing 14) in all competitions and in those games he's shown glimpses of what he can do.

Hyypia Bellamy Alonso

And is a useful weapon on the counter attack too.

Sky Sports News have some footgae but dunno if it's availbale on the web. Try YouTube.com

Kuyt in for Crouch and I think that'll be it. Hopefully Sami isn't too knackered to stand up to the power of Rooney. If so then let's hope Agger is fit as he had Rooney in his pocket when Denmark played England.

3 left footers in midfield then. Dunno why that's significnat but thought it was worth a mention!!

If I was a player I wouldn't wanna claim a goal like that. I'd want all my goals to be clean with no question that I was the scorer. It's the same when strikers claim them when they go off their ar$es from an original shot from someone else.

Top 3 Gerrard Alonso Carragher Potential 3 Agger Sissoko Gonzalez Next 5 years Agger Sissoko Gonzalez

Looks like Collina's put on a bit of weight!

Thanks for that. Not quite the same potency as Eto'o but I bet Gudjohnsen is fired up for this one and will wanna bag a goal or 2!

Anyone know who's been playing up front for Barce now with Eto'o being out?

Exactly and also if they don't gel as a team. Just look at the Galacticos at Real over the past few years, they've won f all.

And rightly so what with our zonal marking!!

Yesterday Rafa said Kuyt had a 20% chance of playing and has flown to Bordeaux. Agger has been left out of the squad.

It was a good night for Brazilians last night. Juninho (as mentioned already) scored a cracking free kick yet again, Robinho also scored a blinder for Real curling it into the far corner, Carvalho with his thunderbolt for CSKA and Kaka with an absolutely brilliant strike from about 30 yards into the top right.

This season I meant. I know he's got 2 already so maybe I should have said his slump in form.

Anyone know what the punishment is?

2-0 Man Utd Rooney's gonna be fired up for this one and it's sod law he'll break his scoring duck against us.

Ok I'll start it then and let's see who gets closest to Rafa's! Reina Finnan Carragher Hyypia Riise Pennant Alonso Zenden Aurelio Garcia Bellamy Subs: Dudek Warnock Paletta Sissoko Gonzalez Crouch Kuyt