Preparation for the CL Semi-Final next week

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Firstly let me put out the facts and then my feelings/question to you.

 

Currently Liverpool have 61 pts with 5 games remaining. Assuming Rafa puts out a full team on Wednesday night and we beat Boro at home, we will have 64 pts with 4 games remaining. In such a position, the only teams possible of catching us would be Everton and Bolton, assuming they win their 4 remaining games and we lost ours, they would have 66 pts.

 

Bolton - 54pts with 4 games remaining

Reading H

Chelsea A (tellingly inbetween the CL games)

West Ham A

Aston Villa H

 

Everton - 54 pts with 4 games remaining

West Ham A

Man Utd H

Porthsmouth H

Chelsea A

 

As you can see, both have to play Chelsea so its difficult for them to get to 66.

 

My question/point is, if we beat Boro on Wednesday, would you play the reserves (essentially) at home to Wigan on Saturday ? Would Rafa put the bare minimum into the preparation for this match and say on Friday start the team preparing for Chelsea ?

 

Put a structure in place and put the players that are not playing vs Chelsea in the team to face Wigan, thus preventing injury and maintaining the energy of the 1st team. Rafa could then bring them in on Sunday morning, fresh, no injuries and then prepare for the Chelsea game after giving them some prep time on Thursday & Friday in order to get the maximum amount of prep for the CL game given the margin we have given ourselves in the League.

 

Again, I have the same point when we play Pompey away on the following Saturday, play a second string and rest the 1st team for the game on the following Tuesday.

 

What do you think, and what do you think Rafa will do ?

[Chili Palmer]

64 points is probably going to be enough to get CL football next year, I would try to get to that as quickly as possible, ie middlesbrough game, then I would concentrate 100% on the CL games, if that means resting the whole 11 that Rafa is going to start at Chelsea then so be it.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

I am of the same opinion, secure the points vs Boro on Wednesday and then send out a weaker team vs Wigan. Considering that Wigan are fighting tooth and nail, this game will demand alot more energy and fight than the Boro game.

 

Possible team (Team for Chelsea in italics)

 

Dudek

 

Palletta Hyypia Agger Arbeloa

Finnan Carra Agger Arbeloa

 

Pennant Sissoko Zenden Gonzalez

Gerrard Mascherano Alonso Riise

 

Kuyt Fowler

Crouch Bellamy

 

*Close call with Masch and Momo, undecided really.

[Alonso]

Hopefully Bellamy will be fit but could see Rafa going with Gerrard in behind Crouch with Pennant coming in on the right for the Chelsea game. Try to keep it tight and nick an away goal. Then give Bellamy a run out against Portsmouth and get him ready for the home leg. Don't forget Kewell may well come into the equation as he's close to fitness according to reports.

[Chili Palmer]

I have a feeling he may play 3 in the middle against Chelsea

 

Pepe

 

Finnan Carra Agger Arbeloa

 

Masch Momo Xabi

 

Gerrard Riise

 

Crouch

[Barnes' left foot]

Don't forget Kewell may well come into the equation as he's close to fitness according to reports.

 

I think Kewell will be on the bench for the Wigan game.

[Alonso]

I think Kewell will be on the bench for the Wigan game.

I hope he gets a run out against Boro then starts the Wigan game to get him some match fitness in order to play some part against Chelsea. He really could be the difference if he comes back to some decent form and will give Rafa the more options for the left side now Aurelio is injured.

[Barnes' left foot]

At Stamford Bridge, I can see Rafa going with this team:

 

Reina

 

Finnan Carra Agger Arbeloa

 

Pennant Alonso Mascherano Riise

 

Gerrard

 

Crouch

 

I think he'll play Pennant as Pennant's been playing well recently and it gives us some pace in the final third.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Can I have an opinion on whether we are likely to see Gerrard, Carra, Alonso etc on show on Saturday ?

[Alonso]

Can I have an opinion on whether we are likely to see Gerrard, Carra, Alonso etc on show on Saturday ?

Yes, but I'll get in first! If we beat Boro on Wednesday almost guaranteeing our CL status for next season, then I imagine they could well be rested if not they'll play.

Edited April 16, 2007 by Alonso

[Tyler]

i think he'll rest alonso and gerrard

we have cover in mifield - momo and zenden can play there

hyypia will slot into defence

 

question is whether he would rest both agger and carra i.e hyppia and paletta to play

 

would be nice to get three points on wednesday.

 

next few weeks will be tough for chelsea and united mentally as every game for them from now on is a must win game. no respite

i think this wil be difficult for them. you may seem them both slip up in the league this weekend

[Swipe]

i'm going to see the Wigan game on sat!

 

i'll understand if he rests most of the big players, but it'll be a bit dissapointing as well!!

[surf]

I have a feeling he may play 3 in the middle against Chelsea

 

Pepe

 

Finnan Carra Agger Arbeloa

 

Masch Momo Xabi

 

Gerrard Riise

 

Crouch

 

Don't think there's enough goal threat i that team to warrant playing it. Think it's too defdensive and will have us on the back foot all game. Prefer a second striker in there or Gonzalez/Pennant for Arbeola/Sissoko, to keep some pressure on Chelsea and make them leave men back to protect against the counter attack.

[San Diego Red]

Crouch plays well as a lone striker. Kuyt and Bellamy play well together. Fowler should play in matches that are like the Wigan one, provided we win on Wednesday.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

I have a feeling he may play 3 in the middle against Chelsea

 

Pepe

 

Finnan Carra Agger Arbeloa

 

.........Masch Momo Xabi....

 

Gerrard.........................Riise

 

..................Crouch

 

Thats not as mad as it first looks. I was wondering whether Rafa's cautious streak would prevail and try to play all 4 of Xabi, Momo, SG and Masch but that team would permit that. I think Gerrard and Riise support a striker much better than Pennant and Gonzalez in that they will always get in the box whilst they are well versed in Benitez's tactics to get back and defend the wide areas and support their full backs.

 

Personally, after Barca, I think we are capable of playing 2 up front and providing more threat but I think that team can work. If he does play it, he has the option of Kuyt and Bellamy for pace if Chelsea over stretch in search of a goal if its still 0-0 after 70 whilst Zenden is available if one of the midfield 4 get injured.

Edited April 17, 2007 by Rory Fitzgerald

[Alonso]

Thats not as mad as it first looks. I was wondering whether Rafa's cautious streak would prevail and try to play all 4 of Xabi, Momo, SG and Masch but that team would permit that. I think Gerrard and Riise support a striker much better than Pennant and Gonzalez in that they will always get in the box whilst they are well versed in Benitez's tactics to get back and defend the wide areas and support their full backs.

 

Personally, after Barca, I think we are capable of playing 2 up front and providing more threat but I think that team can work. If he does play it, he has the option of Kuyt and Bellamy for pace if Chelsea over stretch in search of a goal if its still 0-0 after 70 whilst Zenden is available if one of the midfield 4 get injured.

They might get in the box but who's gonna provide the width to get the balls in or that 10 yard killer pass? There could also prove to be a big gap between midfield and attack as the 3 CMs don't push on. It'll be a good formation to have if we nicked an away goal and wanted to shut up shop but would hope Rafa would be a bit more adventureous to begin with.