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Pick your Liverpool team to face Lille
Reds need to overturn 1-0 deficit in second leg
17 Mar 2010 08:00:00
By Neil Jones | Liverpool Correspondent
Picking a Rafael Benitez team is never easy, but here is the chance for Goal.com UK readers to do just that.
For once, the Reds will head into a fixture on the back of a rousing performance. Monday night's swashbuckling 4-1 victory over Portsmouth was probably Liverpool's finest attacking display of the season - better even than when they ran half a dozen past Hull City in September. Passing was crisp and varied, and confidence seemed to flood through the side.
They will need it too. Lille hold a slender advantage after their first leg success in northern France, and Liverpool will walk a tightrope, knowing the concession of an away goal will leave them requiring three to book a place in the Europa League's last eight.
Benitez will be forced into at least one change: Maxi Rodriguez is ineligible for European competition, and his place on the right of midfield is likely to go to either Dirk Kuyt or Yossi Benayoun, both of whom were rested as the Reds ran riot against Pompey.
Elsewhere, there is little else to report. Martin Skrtel (foot) and Fabio Aurelio (thigh) will be out until at least next month. Javier Mascherano was limping towards the end of the Portsmouth success, but was confirmed fit by Benitez afterwards. Lucas Leiva will be pushing for a recall, but in-form Alberto Aquilani looks likeliest to partner Mascherano in midfield.
Goalkeepers: Reina, Cavalieri.
Defenders: Carragher, Insua, Agger, Johnson, Kelly, Degen, Ayala, Kyrgiakos
Midfielders: Mascherano, Lucas, Gerrard, Benayoun, Aquilani, Spearing, Riera, El-Zhar, Plessis.
Forwards: Torres, Ngog, Babel, Kuyt, Pacheco.
With that in mind, here is Goal.com UK's selection, using the 4-1-4-1 formation in evidence on Monday:
Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua; Mascherano; Benayoun, Gerrard, Aquilani, Babel; Torres
It is a fine balancing act for Benitez, especially with a massive game at Manchester United approaching. Liverpool know a win is vital, and to achieve it they will need to score twice. Therefore, Aquilani has to start ahead of the more functional Lucas. Babel should continue on the left, and Benayoun's creativity should edge out Kuyt's work-rate - and who better than the Dutchman to come on if a goal is needed?
The defence picks itself, as does the attack. Benitez was able to rest Torres, Gerrard and Johnson on Monday, so should not need to do so against Lille. After all, Liverpool need all the help they can get right now.
Do you agree? Let us know! Post your team in the comments box below, using semi-colons to separate positions and working from left-to-right as in Goal.com UK’s preferred line-up above.
Become a fan of Goal.com UK's Facebook fan page for all the latest news and insight into everything related to the beautiful game!
Picking a Rafael Benitez team is never easy, but here is the chance for Goal.com UK readers to do just that.
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For once, the Reds will head into a fixture on the back of a rousing performance. Monday night's swashbuckling 4-1 victory over Portsmouth was probably Liverpool's finest attacking display of the season - better even than when they ran half a dozen past Hull City in September. Passing was crisp and varied, and confidence seemed to flood through the side.
They will need it too. Lille hold a slender advantage after their first leg success in northern France, and Liverpool will walk a tightrope, knowing the concession of an away goal will leave them requiring three to book a place in the Europa League's last eight.
Benitez will be forced into at least one change: Maxi Rodriguez is ineligible for European competition, and his place on the right of midfield is likely to go to either Dirk Kuyt or Yossi Benayoun, both of whom were rested as the Reds ran riot against Pompey.
Elsewhere, there is little else to report. Martin Skrtel (foot) and Fabio Aurelio (thigh) will be out until at least next month. Javier Mascherano was limping towards the end of the Portsmouth success, but was confirmed fit by Benitez afterwards. Lucas Leiva will be pushing for a recall, but in-form Alberto Aquilani looks likeliest to partner Mascherano in midfield.
Goalkeepers: Reina, Cavalieri.
Defenders: Carragher, Insua, Agger, Johnson, Kelly, Degen, Ayala, Kyrgiakos
Midfielders: Mascherano, Lucas, Gerrard, Benayoun, Aquilani, Spearing, Riera, El-Zhar, Plessis.
Forwards: Torres, Ngog, Babel, Kuyt, Pacheco.
With that in mind, here is Goal.com UK's selection, using the 4-1-4-1 formation in evidence on Monday:
Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua; Mascherano; Benayoun, Gerrard, Aquilani, Babel; Torres
It is a fine balancing act for Benitez, especially with a massive game at Manchester United approaching. Liverpool know a win is vital, and to achieve it they will need to score twice. Therefore, Aquilani has to start ahead of the more functional Lucas. Babel should continue on the left, and Benayoun's creativity should edge out Kuyt's work-rate - and who better than the Dutchman to come on if a goal is needed?
The defence picks itself, as does the attack. Benitez was able to rest Torres, Gerrard and Johnson on Monday, so should not need to do so against Lille. After all, Liverpool need all the help they can get right now.
Do you agree? Let us know! Post your team in the comments box below, using semi-colons to separate positions and working from left-to-right as in Goal.com UK’s preferred line-up above.
Become a fan of Goal.com UK's Facebook fan page for all the latest news and insight into everything related to the beautiful game!
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
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