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Pick your Liverpool team to face Manchester United
Aquilani must start crunch clash if fit....
19 Mar 2010 08:30:00
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.
Liverpool have been drinking in the 'last chance saloon' for what seems like an eternity this season, but Sunday's trip to face Manchester United at Old Trafford really does represent a pivotal moment in the Reds' season. A defeat at the home of their fierce rivals would leave Champions League qualification on a knife-edge, as well as representing a further dent to some already shaky confidence.
Perhaps the biggest dilemma facing Benitez surrounds his midfield. The hard-working but prosaic Lucas Leiva has been first choice at Anfield for much of the season, but is under pressure from resurgent Italian star Alberto Aquilani. The £17 million summer signing was impressive in his last Premier League outing, against Portsmouth, but has been hampered by a virus this week. If Liverpool are to go looking for a win, Aquilani surely has to start.
Elsewhere, Albert Riera's much-publicised attack on his manager should see him ostracised. The Spaniard has been on the fringes of the action anyway, but such vociferous criticism of Benitez is likely to ensure his days at Anfield are numbered. The return of Maxi Rodriguez, cup-tied for the Europa League, should offset that particular problem.
Martin Skrtel and Fabio Aurelio are still out, but Glen Johnson is approaching full fitness, and Daniel Agger has shown no signs of the knee complaint which was said to be troubling him.
Availability:
Goalkeepers: Reina, Cavalieri.
Defenders: Carragher, Insua, Agger, Johnson, Kelly, Degen, Ayala, Kyrgiakos
Midfielders: Mascherano, Lucas, Benayoun, Gerrard, Maxi, Aquilani, Spearing, Riera, El-Zhar, Plessis.
Forwards: Torres, Ngog, Babel, Kuyt, Pacheco.
With that in mind, here is Goal.com UK's selection, using a 4-1-4-1 formation:
Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua; Mascherano; Benayoun, Gerrard, Aquilani, Babel; Torres
Attack can often be the best form of defence against Manchester United. Last season showed that Liverpool were at their best when taking the game to their hosts. Subsequently, Aquilani should start alongside Gerrard in an advanced role, in a bid to keep possession and get the ball into Torres with regularity and accuracy.
Ryan Babel's pace will be a useful asset, especially if United start with Gary Neville at full-back, whilst Yossi Benayoun's ability to roam from the right and create chances will be vital - though Benitez could equally prefer the industrious Dirk Kuyt against the marauding Patrice Evra.
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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Liverpool have been drinking in the 'last chance saloon' for what seems like an eternity this season, but Sunday's trip to face Manchester United at Old Trafford really does represent a pivotal moment in the Reds' season. A defeat at the home of their fierce rivals would leave Champions League qualification on a knife-edge, as well as representing a further dent to some already shaky confidence.
Perhaps the biggest dilemma facing Benitez surrounds his midfield. The hard-working but prosaic Lucas Leiva has been first choice at Anfield for much of the season, but is under pressure from resurgent Italian star Alberto Aquilani. The £17 million summer signing was impressive in his last Premier League outing, against Portsmouth, but has been hampered by a virus this week. If Liverpool are to go looking for a win, Aquilani surely has to start.
Elsewhere, Albert Riera's much-publicised attack on his manager should see him ostracised. The Spaniard has been on the fringes of the action anyway, but such vociferous criticism of Benitez is likely to ensure his days at Anfield are numbered. The return of Maxi Rodriguez, cup-tied for the Europa League, should offset that particular problem.
Martin Skrtel and Fabio Aurelio are still out, but Glen Johnson is approaching full fitness, and Daniel Agger has shown no signs of the knee complaint which was said to be troubling him.
Availability:
Goalkeepers: Reina, Cavalieri.
Defenders: Carragher, Insua, Agger, Johnson, Kelly, Degen, Ayala, Kyrgiakos
Midfielders: Mascherano, Lucas, Benayoun, Gerrard, Maxi, Aquilani, Spearing, Riera, El-Zhar, Plessis.
Forwards: Torres, Ngog, Babel, Kuyt, Pacheco.
With that in mind, here is Goal.com UK's selection, using a 4-1-4-1 formation:
Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua; Mascherano; Benayoun, Gerrard, Aquilani, Babel; Torres
Attack can often be the best form of defence against Manchester United. Last season showed that Liverpool were at their best when taking the game to their hosts. Subsequently, Aquilani should start alongside Gerrard in an advanced role, in a bid to keep possession and get the ball into Torres with regularity and accuracy.
Ryan Babel's pace will be a useful asset, especially if United start with Gary Neville at full-back, whilst Yossi Benayoun's ability to roam from the right and create chances will be vital - though Benitez could equally prefer the industrious Dirk Kuyt against the marauding Patrice Evra.
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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