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You're Benitez: How would you line up at the San Siro?

youre_benitez.jpg

It's ours to lose.

Two goals up from the first leg, Liverpool and Rafael Benitez know exactly what they need to do to knock out Serie A leaders Inter Milan and qualify for the quarter finals of the Champions League.

But, how would you line up if you were Benitez?

A strong defence is obviously going to be vital and, luckily for us, keeping cleansheets in Europe has become something of a forte in recent times (finals excluded).

Jamie Carragher has been the main reason for many of those shutouts and, with the in-form centre back on 99 European performances for the club, you have to say he's a shoo-in to start. Alongside him Martin Skrtel has grown in stature with every game since joining in Jaunary, but veteran Finn Sami Hyypia has more than enough experience to handle the big occasion.

At the time of writing Javier Mascherano can still be classified a doubt after missing Saturday's 3-0 win over Newcastle United. You'd have the Argentine as your midfield anchor if passed fit though, wouldn't you?

Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres have formed a mesmerising partnership in recent weeks and, again, they are dead certs to be in Rafa's XI. But who do play around them? And how would Gerrard best be deployed?

Do we go with Kuyt on the right, or play Jermaine Pennant, who came on and made a massive impact in the first leg. Gerrard could even be moved there.

Then on the left, has Ryan Babel done enough to be named ahead of Yossi Benayoun, Harry Kewell and John Arne Riise? If yes, is Riise at left back? Surely Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Aurelio are both ahead of him on current form?

Lucas was a starter in the centre of midfield at Anfield, but three weeks on would Xabi Alonso now get your nod? And what about poor Peter Crouch? Do you give the lad a chance or resign him to yet another late substitute appearance?

You're Benitez. What do you do?

[Image: Getty]

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Posted by on March 10, 2008 9:59 AM in Champions League| Debate| News
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Comments

this will probably be the lineup:
reina
arbeloa-carragher-skrtel-aurelio
mascherano-alonso
pennant -gerrard- babel
torres

subs: hyypia-benayoun-crouch-kuyt-riise

kuyt may be preferred instead of pennant because of his work rate and ability to defend (liverpool may not play too attacking)

skrtel is definetely a better option in central defense. interesting fact - liverpool has not lost a match with skrtel playing in the team (even as a sub).

Posted by: rohil | March 10, 2008 12:30 PM

If I were Rafa, I'd roll with...

Reina

Finnan - Carra - Skrtel - Arbeloa

Xabi - Mascherano

Pennant --- Gerrard --- Babel

Torres


I thought I read Masch will be good to go since he was held out against Newcastle. I think the speed of Pennant and Babel on the outside should be enough to create room for Stevie to push forward and clear up space for 'Nando. And if needed, Babel could move up front with Torres to stretch the Inter back 4 out a little more.

Posted by: Scottay | March 10, 2008 2:41 PM

reina
arbeola carragher hyppia riise
alonso mascherano
kuyt gerrard babel
torres

Posted by: loch | March 10, 2008 3:25 PM

I think the best way to approach the second leg would be to set up to try and get an early goal (that would surely kill the tie off) and then protect that as best as possible. If it stays 0-0 then the longer it goes on the more I would revert to a more defensively-minded approach. This is what I expect Rafa to tell the players and I have every confidence in another great Euro night. With Inter's defence missing a few key players too, and Torres in such good form, there should be no worries ahead of the game. I'll take (and predict) a tight 1-1 draw that sees us progress nicely.

Posted by: Betting on the Reds | March 10, 2008 4:09 PM

There is only going to be one way Benitez is going to line up Liverpool tomorrow:

4-5-1

REINA
ARBELOA - CARRAGHER - HYYPIA - AURELIO
GERRARD - MASCHERANO - ALONSO
KUYT BABEL
TORRES

Y'know, I pretty scared bout this game. I hope we dont screw this up. I have a bad feeling

I read this really disturbing piece of info just now somewhere:

The only time Liverpool FC have relinquished a two goal lead in European club competition was in the 1964/65 European Champion Clubs’ Cup semi-final against FC Internazionale Milano. Liverpol won 3-1 at Anfield but were hammered 3-0 at the San Siro.

Source - http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/news/kind=1/newsid=660945.html

Coincidence? Let's hope it stays that way....

Posted by: Will | March 10, 2008 4:31 PM

We can't go their and try and protect our lead, we have to attack at least some of the match.

That said we WILL play on the counter probably with just Torres up front and a 5 man midfield again.

Posted by: Deano | March 10, 2008 6:00 PM

I've just ehard that Xabi Alonso will be out as his missus is popping a sprog so looks like it'll probs be Lucas and Masch

Posted by: deano | March 10, 2008 6:07 PM

Alonso will not be playing as his girlfriend is due to give birth( hope it is not Sissoko's child)!

Posted by: timmay | March 10, 2008 9:25 PM

Bring on INTER!!!!!! I cannot wait to obliterate them!!!!! Torres and Gerrard are a match in heaven for me... I'm hoping for Finnan and arbeloa as our fullbacks, and I'll go with everyone elses picks for the rest of the team! Maybe Kuyt instead of Pennant initially...
In Rafa We Trust!!!!!!!!!!
I Want Manure next round so they can feel the wraith of Stevie G!!!!

Posted by: Lance | March 11, 2008 5:49 AM

If I were Rafa I would go all out and play
Reina
Carra Skertel Agger Aurelio
Masch Lucus
StevieG
Babel Crouch Torres

Posted by: CTScouser | March 11, 2008 6:07 AM

If I am Rafa.. here's my line-up


------------Reina---------------

Finnan---Carra----Skrtel---Riise

Pennant-Gerrard-Mascherano-Babel

----------Torres--Crouch--------

Subs:
Ijtande
Hyppia
Kuyt
Arbeola
Aurelio
Lucas
Benayoun

and why Crouch? remember how Inter defenders were clueless on how to deal with him??

Posted by: baok | March 11, 2008 9:02 AM

Attacking defensive formation. In other words, go out with a side capable of hitting them on the break but who can also soak up early pressure at the back and have the pace to exploit their missing defenders. Xabi is a huge loss but I'm one of those few that would have done the same and stayed at home to be at the birth of my first child.

That aside, my line-up
Pepe
Arebeloa Skrettl (over Sami for his extra pace) JC Aurelio
Machsmonster Lucas
Kuyt Babel
Steve G
TORRES
Subs Yossi Pennant Crouch Sami Injantde :(

Yossi can slot in anywhere if injury happens early or bring on some pace as the match wears on. Jermaine just brings the pace. Sami is still mr reliable for back up. Crouch could again strech them late when they're tiring like he did at Anfield and more so with MM deservedly suspended.
Charlie is a Charlie but we need a reserve keeper and Carsons still on loan so, theres not much choice.
Wish Finnan were available, he's been a solid performer in the past in the CL but have faith that we can cover him.
For all the talk of Stevie/Ferinator I got a feeling Babel could be the one to cause them some real problems tonight. His last month or so he's really starting to show the huge potential he's got. When he clicks fully into a mature player, were going to have an awesome front half.

Takes me back to days of Kev, John, Kenny and Ian. Good days and good days to come. YNWA!

Posted by: StevieM | March 11, 2008 2:39 PM

Rafa To Play

jc skrtel hyypia aurelio

Dirk Mash Lucas Babel
Gerrard
Torres

Torres to score 1st , burdisso to get sent off (2yellows)

Posted by: Anonymous | March 13, 2008 8:18 AM

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