LIVERPOOL v MANCHESTER UNITED

[ynwa.tv]

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[jimmylibel]

Great in Europe, now Benítez must close gap at home

 

With Liverpool trailing 16 points behind Manchester United, Rafael Benítez cannot afford to pick a team with one eye on Barcelona.

 

Dominic FifieldMarch 2, 2007 12:30 AM

 

Rafael Benítez bounded off a windswept training pitch and into the lobby at Melwood yesterday to be presented with a photograph of his team's triumph in Istanbul at the tail end of his first season. The Spaniard obligingly scribbled his autograph on the glossy picture before briefly acknowledging to those present the pivotal four days ahead. Liverpool may be hopelessly adrift in the title race but his focus, he insisted, is solely on Manchester United's visit to Anfield tomorrow. For the moment Barcelona can wait.

 

That concentration remains on the immediate game is wholly in keeping with the manager's approach, though he has particular reason to aim to slow United's pursuit of the title. Benítez's reign on Merseyside has been glittering, with the Champions League and then FA Cup secured in his two full seasons. But, if doubts persist, they centre on his impact in the Premiership - Liverpool trot out tomorrow 16 points off the leaders. For all the progress that has been made under the former Valencia coach, the ability to prolong an interest in the title race continues to be elusive.

 

It is a shortcoming of which Benítez is aware and it is one which demands that he picks something approaching his strongest side tomorrow, even with Barcelona due on Tuesday in the one competition that can still produce a trophy for him this term. There have even been concerns voiced that they may be under strength against United. "I'll be very surprised if it's the best XI," the former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson said earlier this week. "There's no way he'll want to risk all his top players by sending them out for two big games in a matter of days. Whatever they do [against United] will mean little if they don't get into the Champions League quarter-final."

 

Yet even with the title out of reach, Benítez recognises the need to offer new owners - both expected to be present for at least one of the two games - and fans evidence that his is a team capable of cracking the Premiership. He has achieved much in continental competition, with a Uefa Cup also secured at Valencia, but his inability to prolong a title challenge in England grates with him.

 

This, after all, is the ultimate perfectionist, a man who once berated Jamie Carragher as he left the pitch at the Stadio delle Alpi after they secured a 0-0 draw and progress in the Champions League. Even after the 2-1 win at Camp Nou last week Benítez was offering tips to Alvaro Arbeloa on the bus as it rattled across the Tarmac at Barcelona airport. "Our performance in that game was good but we can play a lot better" was yesterday's assessment. "As a team I know we can do even more. I don't just say this for effect."

 

There are aspects to this campaign which have infuriated him but the reality is that Liverpool have developed as rapidly as their manager would have hoped. Excellence in European competition has merely been maintained but a year ago the Merseysiders had 55 points from 28 games, two more than they do at present, even if their deficit from the then leaders, Chelsea, stood at 17. This season has mirrored the last: a sluggish start with new players taking time to bed in, followed by an impressive league run through the winter months based on a stingy sequence of clean sheets. Just like last year, that resurgence was instigated only with the title already apparently out of reach. Benítez hoped for more.

 

Their nine-match league run at Anfield without a goal conceded - stretching 844 minutes - is a club record, though there remains plenty to prove, and not least against United. Benítez has gleaned only one point and one goal, and that scored by John O'Shea, from his five Premiership confrontations with United. Though there was finally a league victory to celebrate against Jose Mourinho's Chelsea in January, the locals will not believe the gulf is being bridged unless United can be overcome at home for the first time in the league since November 2001.

 

A win would hardly wreck the visitors' hopes of claiming a ninth title in 15 seasons but it would pep conviction that Liverpool could mount an overdue challenge next term. By then the takeover by George Gillett and Tom Hicks will be complete and work will be well under way on a new stadium. Expectations will rise accordingly, with Benítez aware of the need to impress and end the wait for a 19th title.

 

"We did well against Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi in Europe, so I don't see why we can't do the same against Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney," said their Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt. "After losing at Old Trafford earlier in the season I think we owe everyone a performance." The Kop awaits evidence of progress.

 

Link

[psl]

Really hope we stuff them tomorrow. Its hard to stop thinking about Barca though.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Murder, Death, Kill !!!

 

We cannot go out with an understrenght team

 

Reina

 

Finnan Carra Agger Arbeloa

 

Gerrard Alonso Sissoko Gonzalez

 

Crouch Kuyt

[psl]

Murder, Death, Kill !!!

 

We cannot go out with an understrenght team

 

Reina

 

Finnan Carra Agger Arbeloa

 

Gerrard Alonso Sissoko Gonzalez

 

Crouch Kuyt

 

Think it'll be Bellamy tomorrow.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Really hope we stuff them tomorrow. Its hard to stop thinking about Barca though.

 

I'm the same actually, this is the most ambivalent I have been towards a Utd game. I know that whatever happens tomorrow will be forgotten by Wednesday morning - whatever way the tie goes.

[Widnesian]

Apologies for not crediting the original poster of this. But this is what tomorrow's all about.

 

I f***ing hate this shower of b******s and everything the c**** stand for, right from their f***ing copied liverpool kit from when the b******s used to look like f***ed up canaries, to their f***ing stadium in a wasteland, that ingracious, mumbling alcoholic w***ing putrid egotistical c*** of a manager. I f***ing hate Gary busy b******s Neville, the snivelling little ass kissing untalented prick and his f***ing 12 year olds moustache, little c*** and his f***ing delsions of grandeur, thinking he's the f***ing shop steward of professional football. f*** off you s***, and shag you mother, and your sister and your brother, all f*** off and shag each other, you're all inbred.

 

f***ing megastores and merchandising and totally ripping the piss out of their moronic, gullible w***** fans - the c**** deserve each other. I hate their f***ing "fans united" s***, stupid b******s - we can see how much of a difference those w*****s really made now. Average attendance up 10,000 since them w*****s left. I f***ing hate the way people have started calling them "the reds" considering we were playing in red, and ALL red, when those c**** were still called Hampstead Heath or some such s****, I hate the way the b******s even removed the words "football club" from their own f***ing club crest, the money hungry f***s.

 

I hate their f***ing uneducated fans, who know f*** all of the history of football in general, never mind their own team. I despise the re-inventing of history they perpetuate, so they can tell us we've never won "the permiership", even though any c*** with a brain (which obviously excludes Man U "customers") knows we've won the top division more than anyone. I can't stand their claims to be the most successful club, the most successful british club and all that s***, and their claims of ferguson being the greatest manager ever, despite being in charge of what was the worlds richest club for 20 years and only managing to win ONE solitary European Cup, and even getting lucky at that, despite Bob's 3 in nine years in charge, and despite only winning one more league title than Bob, even though he's had more than twice as long, and an almost unlimited budget to do it.

 

I hate their f***ing favouroutism from refs and the media (50 greatest Man U goals on TV over christmas - f***ing WHAT??) and every b*****d "legend" who ever played for them. Bryan Robson - c***, Mark Hughes - c*** - Steve Bruce - Fat Headed c***. I f***ing hope those three b******s get relegated this season so I don't have to look at the f*****s any more. Eric f***ing Cantona and his f***ing chest out and collar up. What a f***ing prick. f***ing fat prick at that. Philosopher my a***.

 

The current bunch of f***wits aren't much better either. Rio f***ing duck face Ferdinand, the junkie b*****d, who's got the positional sense of a f***ing broken compass. Michael Carrick. 18 million. That one doesn't even need a punchline. The granny shagger, now two years and counting since he scored a competitive international or champions league goal. Wes Brown. A f***ing black guy with ginger hair? Plastic Ronaldo. If ever there was a dancing, diving, my little pony, showboating, earring wearing little c***. If there is anyone I'd love to chin, it's that b*****d.

 

I hope we royally f*** them b******s over on Sunday, and that it becomes seen as the day that cemented their already started downfall, into relegation, bankruptcy and oblivion. We're back on our f***ing perch you b******s, and you'll have to sit below us, getting s*** on, for another 25 years.

 

c****.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

I know it has been mentioned yet but my reference to

Murder, Death, Kill

is from Demolition Man and nothing to do with Shipman, Hillsborough, Munich etc etc, just thought I'd clear that up.

[Coyler]

We have to beat this shower to-morrow. Have to, haffte, haffte.

[robfar1]

I think Raffa will go for:

 

Reina

 

Finnan Carra Hyppia Agger

 

Gerrard Momo Alonso Riise

 

Bellamy Kuyt

 

I have never been right with a formation before but you never know!

[RafaShanks]

Le Tissier predicting 0-2 defeat:

 

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=4...tball+Home&

 

Sky Pundits (not Thommo) = C**ts!!!

 

[Gomez]

Great in Europe, now Benítez must close gap at home

 

With Liverpool trailing 16 points behind Manchester United, Rafael Benítez cannot afford to pick a team with one eye on Barcelona.

 

Dominic Fifield March 2, 2007 12:30 AM

 

What a load of bollx. If ever there was a time we could pick a team with one eye on Barcalona it is now. We are not catching the scum up, 13 points is no different from 16 points at this point in the season. Third is third, third 16 points behind is still third, thrid 13 points behind is still third. It's not nice, but it isn't going to change tomorrow. We have to concentrate on the CL as it is our only chance of another trophy.

 

Of course I want to beat the mancs, getting beaten by them is unthinkable, but we are not Everton, we cannot let local rivallries distract us from the bigger picture. At the end of the season it's about who's got the shiniest trophies, not about going "yeah, we won jack sh*t, but at least we didn't lose to man u"

 

f*ck off Dominic Fifield, at least try to have an original thought and don't wheel out the same old trite space filler. It only your f**king job like.

[Ostrich Man]

 

I f***ing hate the way people have started calling them "the reds" considering we were playing in red, and ALL red, when those c**** were still called Hampstead Heath or some such s****,

 

I hate their f***ing uneducated fans, who know f*** all of the history of football in general, never mind their own team. I despise the re-inventing of history

 

Wes Brown. A f***ing black guy with ginger hair?

 

 

and you'll have to sit below us, getting s*** on, for another 25 years.

 

clueless.

[johngibo YPC]

 

clueless.

 

yeah its b******s.

Still hope you all get some s*** thrown on you tomorrow though!

[Ostrich Man]

i just hope we win.

[McBain]

Got this feeling it might be Gerrard's turn on the bench. After Xabi's last week

 

I dont think Rafa will go full strength so I reckon we might see XabiNMasch for the first time

[Alonso]

Got this feeling it might be Gerrard's turn on the bench. After Xabi's last week

 

I dont think Rafa will go full strength so I reckon we might see XabiNMasch for the first time

Presumably meaning Pennant on the right. If so I can't see him getting much joy outta Evra.

[dorgie]

He may be tempted to play Sami. They were s**t at defending set pieces against Reading and Sami may be used to exploit that.

[McBain]

Presumably meaning Pennant on the right. If so I can't see him getting much joy outta Evra.

 

Evra's still better going forward that at the back. And Pennant i definitely dont see starting against Barca so it might be his turn Saturday

[fred milne]

Reckon Sami starting is a good shout. Set-pieces have been decisive in the past (e.g. Pallister x 2 in 97).

 

If Mascherano is to figure against either Utd or Barca, then I'd rather it was against Barca. He looked lightweight at times during the first half last Saturday. And that was just against Sheff Utd.

[Alonso]

He may be tempted to play Sami. They were s**t at defending set pieces against Reading and Sami may be used to exploit that.

But will Rooney, Saha/Larsson, Ronaldo and Giggs be able to exploit Samis lack of pace and play the ball round him on the deck? We could be caught out there but agree that he could be useful from set pieces but then we have to have good delivery for that!!

[Spion kop]

he'll pick a team to win and not give a f*** about what the media thinks his strongest team is, GO RAFA GO!

[Alonso]

Evra's still better going forward that at the back. And Pennant i definitely dont see starting against Barca so it might be his turn Saturday

Agree about Pennant not starting against Barca and if he can exploit the space Evra leaves behind him then great. Thing is Evra is stronger and quicker than Pennant and with Evra pushing on Pennant will be expected to track him back so would he be able to exploit that space? I think Gerrard on the right will give Evra much more to think about.

[Rory Fitzgerald]

Play Gerrard on the right up against Evra.

Stick Crouch and Kuyt up against Vidic and Ferdinand.

 

Then employ the same tactic as we did against Chelsea and hit cross field pass and attack the f***ers in the air. Vidic is dominant, I'll give you that but Evra and Ferdinand are liabilities.

[Stevie H]

this isn't a game for mascherano or for arbeloa. and i agree about sami playing, they're a threat from set-pieces with vidic and ferdinand up from the back.