UCL Thursday 22th Feb: FC Barcelona Vs Liverpool
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Liverpool include Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise in their squad, despite the pair's reported altercation at a training camp this week.
Xabi Alonso should be available again after suspension, while Argentine Javier Mascherano is also eligible.
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has left striker Samuel Eto'o out of his squad to face the Reds, following reports of a falling-out with the 25-year-old.
Lilian Thuram could start in defence, so Rafael Marquez will push forward.
Liverpool (from): Reina, Finnan, Agger, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Aurelio, Pennant, Gerrard, Sissoko, Alonso, Zenden, Bellamy, Crouch, Kuyt, Fowler, Gonzalez, Arbeloa, Dudek. -
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard has hailed Liverpool as a 'great team', as the two sides prepare to do battle in the last sixteen of the Champions League tomorrow evening.
'I think Liverpool is a great team, they were and they still are. We are really looking forward to playing against them. It's going to be an exciting game between two strong teams,' he said.
'Historically they are one of the greatest teams to play against. I have memories from my childhood of watching them on television - they were always a joy to watch.
'I also like how they play now, very much. They have a great coach and great players.'
Rijkaard also dismissed Spanish press claims that he is making special plans to counter the possible threat posed by Liverpool striker Peter Crouch.
'It is actually not true that we have been making special preparations for Peter Crouch,' added Rijkaard.
'He is a very important player but there are also many other important players at Liverpool.'
Unlike Barcelona, Liverpool have had a ten day rest prior to the tie but Rijkaard refused to be drawn on whether that will prove disadvantageous to his team.
'We'll just see tomorrow whether it is or not,' he added. 'Defeat against Valencia may act as a good motivation for us to do well against Liverpool.
'We have a big respect for them and tomorrow the best team will win the game.' -
Mascherano emerges as Liverpool secret weapon
tribalfooball.com - February 20, 2007
Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez could spring a surprise on Barcelona tonight and field Javier Mascherano.
The Argentine's loan deal from West Ham was given the green light yesterday and Benitez admits he could see action at the Nou Camp.
Barca have no technical information on Mascherano and how he complements Liverpool's midfield. Benitez said: "We have the player registered by FIFA. He is a very experienced player and is ready.<> "He is an Argentinian international with plenty of experience, so I have every confidence in him." -
First Half : Barca 1 - Liverpool 1
Can someone lent me a golf club , so that i can give a whack to Riise for letting Deco loose for him to head in ?
As for Liverpool's goal ... simply Santa Claus' gift from heaven ....
A really rare error from Barcelona's 'keeper
Our new fella from Deportivo doing alright leh .... so far so good .
Liverpool at times , looked seriously playing for a draw , typical Liverpool UCL attitude . -
seems like my prediction is going to come true againOriginally posted by ghimpheng:barcelona win 2 - 1
Messi (lion) , Eto (monkey) and Ronaldinho (horse) is currently back in the squad injury free =D
1 - 1 half time
hopefully 2 - 1 full time -
pool will most likely defend and take the draw back to anfield
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Go 'Pool!
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that was really comical from valdes..
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bellamy and riise in the news again
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looks like its coming thru, and all along we though crouch was the main threat..Originally posted by stellazio:liverpool does indeed plays like valencia, except for the long ball part. barcelona likes time and space on the ball, if liverpool can deny them that, then yes liverpool has a good chance. -
Quite a boring match u know . -
Hate to see Liverpool used those time-wasting antics .... -
we got our plot spot-on actually . Denying them pace and space ...... we control them , instead of letting them control us .
Once we're in control , we create the chance , it's up to us to score .
See u in a fortnight time .
FT Barcelona 1 - Liverpool 2 @ Nou Camp . -
We're going to knock Barca out, we are....
Very, very good result. But we must not be complacent, for Barca are very capable of overturning the score.
If Barca can defeat Chelski at Stamford Bridge, which Chelski hadn't lost to any team in the EPL for 4/5 years, Barca are still damn dangerous.
I can sleep soundly liao. Sweet dreams. -
peter crouch can't even touch much of the ball if he was @ nou campOriginally posted by stellazio:looks like its coming thru, and all along we though crouch was the main threat.. -
Well done Liverpool...
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well done pool for owning barca's ass. let's hope pool not to get carry away and perform well in their home gorund.
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KNN, laughed while reading this till my tears' coming out.
Just To Tee Things Off
From Football365.com
A selection of our favourite golfing references from today's match reports, for all of you with better things to do than us:
'Craig Bellamy and John-Arne Riise putt on the style in the Nou Camp last night' - The Daily Star.
'Craig Bellamy got a goal in one and teed up No 2' - The Sun.
'He then teed-up Riise...' - The Daily Star.
'...and teed up a second for John Arne Riise' - The Daily Star.
'...all that was left was for Bellamy to tee up Riise' - The Guardian.
'Bellamy equalised with a 43rd-minute header before teeing up Riise...' - The Daily Mail.
'...dig them out of a European bunker' - The Daily Star.
'Rafael Benitez's decision to start Bellamy proved a master-stroke' - The Daily Telegraph.
'This side may still have a fairway to go...' - The Sun.
'...before they can count any chickens - or should that be birdies?' - The Sun.
'How fortunes swing' - The Daily Telegraph.
'It was a relatively short but powerful assault that was always likely to find a hole' - The Times.
'The Norwegian international overstruck his cross...Riise clearly chose the wrong club!' - The Daily Star.
'Weekend golfers will have recognised the error of using a nine-iron when a seven-iron would have been a better choice' - The Daily Mail.
'Riise over-clubbed his centre...' - The Daily Express.
'A case of using too lofty a club...' - The Daily Mail.
'Football's equivalent of sinking a hole in one...' - The Daily Mirror. -
Well Done Liverpool! To achieve a victory against Barca away at Nou Camp is certainly something to be proud of.
Cheers.
C.K -
Tactically , we had a hard game .....
The players need to watch many "dangerous players" , not only Ronaldinho alone , we need to take care of "clever" players like Deco , Messi , Saviola .... and my best player on the pitch is Barcelona's Italian left-back ( i forgotten his name for a moment ) , it's a difficult task to mark him .... that's why we saw Benitez getting Stevie Gerrard to man-mark him when he salvo a penetration , but still he managed to sneak in one for Barcelona's first goal .
The only way to stop him was to attack from our right , make him busy , that how we manage to get our first from the right side .
Barcelona's defeat ... all credits to the boyz , another right tactical move , they squeeze Ronaldinho into limited space , in fact , i saw three players "on" for him ... poor Ronaldinho , could not show his "smile" after the match .
We are in for another great show in a fortnight time.
Edit: Sorry ah Poolman, too much space left behind spoils reading this thread -
Originally posted by ghimpheng:seems like my prediction is going to come true again
1 - 1 half time
hopefully 2 - 1 full time -
Zambrotta?Originally posted by Poolman:Tactically , we had a hard game .....
The players need to watch many "dangerous players" , not only Ronaldinho alone , we need to take care of "clever" players like Deco , Messi , Saviola .... and my best player on the pitch is Barcelona's Italian left-back ( i forgotten his name for a moment ) , it's a difficult task to mark him .... that's why we saw Benitez getting Stevie Gerrard to man-mark him when he salvo a penetration , but still he managed to sneak in one for Barcelona's first goal .
The only way to stop him was to attack from our right , make him busy , that how we manage to get our first from the right side .
Barcelona's defeat ... all credits to the boyz , another right tactical move , they squeeze Ronaldinho into limited space , in fact , i saw three players "on" for him ... poor Ronaldinho , could not show his "smile" after the match .
We are in for another great show in a fortnight time.
Edit: Sorry ah Poolman, too much space left behind spoils reading this thread -
Ya man , sekali forget his name .....Originally posted by Patrik:Zambrotta? -
but Riise never pretend to take a microphone n sing after scoring a goal.Originally posted by CoolMyth:KNN, laughed while reading this till my tears' coming out.
From Football365.com