Liverpool vs Toulouse: What will Rafa do?
By: Brian | August 14th, 2007Well, Jermaine Pennant and Harry Kewell will definitely not be in the line-up, that’s for sure. JP was given a rest and Harry Kewell is injured again, shocking, I know. The question is, did Rafa bring any youngsters and if so, is he going to play any of them? Looking at who’s not on loan at the moment, I can definitely see Emiliano Insua, Robbie Threlfall, Stephen Darby, Gabriel Paletta, Nabil El Zhar, Lucas Leiva, and possibly even Anthony Le Tallec seeing time here.
If he doesn’t bring any of the aforementioned, I expect the line-up to go something like this:
GK - Charles Itandje - since the Frenchman is somewhat familiar with Toulouse, I think he’ll get his debut here. His experience against the French side, the first time Liverpool has ever faced them in European play, might be invaluable.
LB - John Arne Riise - Riise also has some experience in the French Ligue as he played for AS Monaco some seven years ago
CB - Sammi Hyypia - Carrragher needs a break after being all over the field against Villa
CB - Daniel Agger - no one else to play, despite us possibly needing him to contain Drogba come Sunday. He’s young.
RB - Alvaro Arbeloa - gives Finnan a break for the Chelsea match
LM - Ryan Babel - It’s either him or Yossi, here and on the right
CM - Steven Gerrard - will start when fit
CM - Javier Mascherano - vital in containing opponents in away matches, not sure about his fitness though
RM - Yossi Benayoun - might start on the left
F - Andriy Voronin - relatively fresh after only playing fifteen or so against Villa
F - Peter Crouch - Europe is his forte
Bench:
Pepe Reina
Jamie Carragher
Steve Finnan
Xabi Alonso
Momo Sissoko
Dirk Kuyt
Fernando Torres
We might see Sissoko instead of Mascherano as I’m not sure Javier made the trip or not. I would love to see Insua get the start on the left, just to give Riise a rest, but I’m not sure how realistic that would be. When we get Leto eligible and Kewell back, then the real squad selection issues will begin.
The match is 1030 EST. Cheers.
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Category: Alvaro Arbeloa, Andriy Voronin, Aston Villa, Champions League, Charles Itandje, Chelsea, Daniel Agger, Dirk Kuyt, Emiliano Insua, Fernando Torres, Harry Kewell, Jamie Carragher, Javier Mascherano, Jermaine Pennant, John Arne Riise, LFC, Liverpool, Liverpool FC, Lucas Leiva, Momo Sissoko, Nabil El Zhar, Pepe Reina, Peter Crouch, Rafa Benitez, Robbie Threlfall, Ryan Babel, Sammi Hyypia, Sebastian Leto, Stephen Darby, Steve Finnan, Steven Gerrard, Team News, Xabi Alonso, Yossi Benayoun
Tags: Alvaro Arbeloa, Andriy Voronin, Aston Villa, Champions League, Charles Itandje, Chelsea, Daniel Agger, Dirk Kuyt, Emiliano Insua, Fernando Torres, Harry Kewell, Jamie Carragher, Javier Mascherano, Jermaine Pennant, John Arne Riise, LFC, Liverpool, Liverpool FC, Lucas Leiva, Momo Sissoko, Nabil El Zhar, Pepe Reina, Peter Crouch, Rafa Benitez, Robbie Threlfall, Ryan Babel, Sammi Hyypia, Sebastian Leto, Stephen Darby, Steve Finnan, Steven Gerrard, Team News, Toulouse FC, Xabi Alonso, Yossi BenayounSubscribe
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Comments
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This is going to be an interesting match but I hope that Yossi Benayoun will be given a start.
Posted from
Australia
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rafa isnt debuting a keeper in the champions league. dont be silly
Posted from
United States -
Yeah, I’d doubt if Itandje started, but you never know. I’m gonna go and predict 2-1 to Liverpool, with the same score at Anfield later on.
Posted from
Canada -
Liverpool is going to need their best squad if they want to go to the champions league, the team you posted is not their best and Toulouse is very up for this game… it is going to be very interesting
Posted from
El Salvador -
I would never put anything past Rafa. Itandje isn’t exactly a spring chicken, he’s a near 25-year-old with 170 Ligue 1 matches under his belt. Let’s not forget this is the same Rafa who once debuted Zak Whitbread in the Champions’ League. The same Whitbread who couldn’t get an EPL match and has never played for team USA.
Then again, this move almost makes sense and logic isn’t always Rafa’s tool of choice.
Posted from
United States -
Come to think of it, I think we might see Rafa sit Gerrard for the Chelsea match as well and start Sissoko along with Mascherano in the middle. Xabi was not very impressive at Villa on Saturday, which means there’s a chance we may see him there instead. If Rafa can get Masche and Momo to communicate and have one stay back while the other attacks, it should work. Both players proved they were capable of being on the attack or at least box-to-box in the preseason, but we can’t afford to have them both too far forward. Heck, we could even see Leiva start. Who knows.
Posted from
United States -
Brian your in the know right, How bad is the Kewell injury? I heard its groin again and that it flared up at training. Is it ten days or on and off fucked for the rest of the season and ultimately the rest off his Anfield career.
Posted from
Australia -
God Dammit, I cannot take another Kewell injury I just cant. it’s just not good for the heart I honestly nearly ended it all when I heard he wasnt in the line up. I stand before you a broken man. I had so much hope for him this season he was looking so good in Asia.
Antz hopefully its nothing 10 days isnt long the only danger is if Babel plays to well and they shaft Kewell as a sub when he’s back next week (fingers crossed).
Posted from
Australia -
do you think Babel was signed to in evitably replace Harry at the End of the season???
Posted from
Australia -
Martinez, Kewell will be back soon, hopefully by the beginning of September. I’d rather let him fully heal than risk aggravating his injury even further.
Antz, hopefully Kewell will return soon and stay fit for the rest of the year and then re-sign for at least another two years. He turns 29 next month and despite injury, he’s athletic enough to play at this level until he’s 31, possibly even 32. Babel will be used on either flank and even up front until Kewell leaves, but I hope it’s not as early as next year and we may acquire another big name left midfielder (Quaresma?) as early as January.
Posted from
United States -
el zhar the best players in livepool and toress
Posted from
Spain
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