vs

RSC Anderlecht meet holders Liverpool FC as they attempt to break their nine-match losing streak in the UEFA Champions League. The Belgian side have lost both games so far by 1-0, at Chelsea FC and at home to Real Betis Balompié. Liverpool opened with a 2-1 win at Betis, but were then held by Chelsea at Anfield, so both teams, for differing reasons, need a win.

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From UEFA.com

i can see us trying the 3-5-2 again or going back to 4-5-1

with the 3-5-2 i can see up playing something like:

-------------Reina-------------
---Josemi--Hyypia--Carra---
Finnan--------------------Warnock
-------------Hamman-----------
-----Alonso----------Sissoko---
--------Crouch---Morientes----

or with a 4-5-1 play

----------Reina-----------
Finnan-JC--Hyypia--Warnock

Sinama--Hamman--Alonso--Riise
------Garcia
---------------Crouch/Moro

i think we will go for Hamman over Sissoko in this game (and save Momo for our away game vs Fulham)... as Gerrard is still 50:50 for that game.

wouldnt suprise me to see Morientes start upfront either in a partnership with Crouch or as a lone striker, we got plenty of service in the game vs blackburn, and they mainly fell to Cisse in the air, but if we had both Moro and Crouch upfront, chances are one of them will stick away a header or two.
wouldnt mind seeing Sinama on the right with Garcia just behind a lone striker, so they can inter-change as the game progresses and have a little more freedom knowing the other player can cover.

im expecting nothing less than a liverpool win, and would be very shocked if we didnt get it.

I can see either a 0-0 draw or pool sneaking one in late on.

I think we will go back to tried and tested 4 5 1 in this one, and I think Gracia is an absolute certainty to start after being rested. I would love to see Momo and Xabi in the middle again but Rafa does rest Momo often and maybe 3 games in a week for him is too much.

As for the rest of the starting lineup it will be Reina in net, and Hyypia and Carragher at centrehalf the other starters are anyones guess.

I don't think Anderlecht are a great team but we still need to show them respect. Hopefully we'll get a win here and that would virtually assure us of being in the last 16.

I think Rafa wil try again with 4-5-1, with Hyypia, Garcia and Hamman back

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

Josemi (Finnan)----Caragher-----Hyypia----Warnock

Flo (Cisse)-----Hamman----------Alonso-------Zenden (Risse)

----------------------Garcia------------------------------

---------------Crouch------------------------------------

SUB.
-Carson
-Kewell
-Traore
-Sissoko
-Finan
-Cisse
-Risse
-Morientes

I really dont think that Morientes will play from the start. This is vital away game for us, Morientes is not in form at the moment and is not ready to take that responsibility.

Hoping that Anderlecht win 1-0 and we can win our match so that we go to the top of the table

Anyways i think it will be a tight match with a 1-1 draw or a 0-1 win to Liverpool.

I don't think we will lose the match, Either win or a draw.

Good to see kewell back in the squad now he has to prove what he can do.

I'm expecting 2:0 Liverpool (cisse, Crouch)

Liverpool captain and midfielder Steven Gerrard's shin injury means he will not travel to Belgium for the Champions League group game against Anderlecht.
But left winger Harry Kewell may play a part after his lengthy spell out.

Kewell has not played since limping out of last season's Champions League final with a groin injury while undergoing a hernia operation during the summer.

Anderlecht have problems in central defence with Vincent Kompany struggling to overcome a back injury.

Head to Head

Anderlecht have played Liverpool before in European competition, in the second round of the 1964/1965 Champions Cup.

European History

Liverpool won both legs, 3-0 at Anfield and 1-0 in Belgium.

Anderlecht have hosted English clubs on 13 occasions, winning seven, drawing two and losing four.

Their last match at home to an English club was against Leeds United in February 2001. Leeds won 4-1.

Anderlecht's last home victory against an English club was in October 2000 when they beat Manchester United 2-1.

Liverpool have visited Belgium on three occasions, winning twice and drawing once.

The first of those matches was the aforementioned 1-0 win at Anderlecht in 1964.

Liverpool also won 2-1 at Standard Liege in December 1965 and drew 1-1 at Brugges in the Uefa Cup final in May 1976.

Liverpool have never been beaten by a Belgian club in seven European matches.
Anderlecht have been eliminated by an English club on seven occasions.

European History

Anderlecht's greatest successes have come in the lesser European competitions with victory in the 1976 Cup Winners' Cup and the 1983 Uefa Cup.

The Belgians are playing in Europe for the 46th time having only failed to participate in 1957/1958, 1958/1959, 1960/1961, 1961/1962 and 1963/1964.

It is Anderlecht's seventh Champions League season. Their best performance is in the quarter-final group phase in 1993/1994.

Anderlecht's other seasons have tended to end with them finishing last in the group phase but they did progress past the first group phase in 2000/2001.

Anderlecht finished as runners-up in Belgium last season and therefore entered this season's competition at the second qualifying round stage.

Liverpool have won the Champions Cup/Champions League five times with the most recent coming in May when they won their first Champions League on penalties from AC Milan.

Their previous successes came in 1977, 1978, 1981 and 1984.

They have also won three Uefa Cups and three Super Cups.

This season will be Liverpool's fourth in the Champions League and their 33rd in European competition.

Current European form

Anderlecht have lost their last nine Champions League matches, a competition record.They've lost their last four Champions League home matches.

Anderlecht have failed to score in their last three Champions League engagements.

The Belgians have not drawn home or away in Europe for 18 matches since the 1-1 stalemate, home to Bayern Munich in September 2003.

Anderlecht had to get through two qualification rounds to reach this stage. They won 5-1 on aggregate against Neftchi Baku from Azerbaijan in the second qualifying round and defeated Czech club Slavia Prague 4-1 on aggregate to reach this stage.

Liverpool are unbeaten for 10 matches in the Champions League since losing 1-0 at AS Monaco in November 2004. This is one of the top 10 longest unbeaten runs ever in the Champions League.

Liverpool have won their last four away matches in European competition and are unbeaten in their last seven away matches in Europe since losing 1-0 at Monaco.

Liverpool qualified for the Champions League as defending champions but had to win three qualifying rounds to reach the group stage.

Liverpool, along with Artmedia Bratislava, are the first team to negotiate all three rounds of qualification to reach the Champions League group phase.

To reach this stage, Liverpool have knocked out Welsh club Total Network Solutions, FBK Kaunas from Lithuania and Bulgaria's CSKA Sofia.

Liverpool lead Group G with Anderlecht propping the group up.

Other miscellaneous facts

Nenad Jestrovic scored the only goal of Anderlecht's weekend encounter at Beveren.

Anderlecht are unbeaten in this season's Jupiler League with seven wins and three draws.

They are currently in second place in the table behind Standard Liege who have a point more.

On Saturday, Djibril Cisse provided Liverpool's winner against Blackburn.
In spite of the win, Liverpool are 12th in the Premiership table. They trail table toppers Chelsea by 17 points with two matches in hand.

Liverpool need to score one goal to record 450 in European competition.

If Liverpool concede three goals, they will have let in 200 in European competition.

Two goals conceded means that Liverpool will have recorded 100 goals against in Champions Cup/Champions League.

If Liverpool score four goals, they will have scored 50 in the Champions League.

Don't think Gerrard will be scoring - he isn't in the squad....

Great to see Kewell back, hopefully he gets at least 15mins under his belt. Liverpool to win this 2-0. Cisse, and Alonso

Yer lol, i thought he was back but just looked at the squad and saw he wasn't there.
So i went for crouch and cisse instead.

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

-----Finnan----Caragher-----Hyypia----Warnock----

--Garcia--------Hamman------Alonso----------Rise--

-----------------Morientes-------------------------------

----------------------------------Cisse-------------------

2-0 Liverpool.

i can see garcia starting this time, europes his stage so i feel it will be a 4-4-1-1 formation

---------------------reina-----------------------

finnan-------carra----------hyypia-----------traore

pongolle------alonso-------sissoko----------riise

-----------------------garcia--------------------------

-----------------------crouch-------------------------

i can see us starting off like that, the players who didnt start in blackburns match are more likely to start this time rafa is liking his rotation ability at the moment, as i said europe is garcias stage so i think he will start, pongolle i think will start aswell as we can act as a striker to, not sure on the defence think possibly josemi could be used instead of finnan or hyypia, i feel traore will start this one though ahead of warnock, crouchie i think may start as hes caused alot of trouble for every defence so far so theres my guess

I think we would play the same team as we played in spain against betis. sinama and crouch forwards. Gerrard was not in the starting 11 in that game and he is injured now.
I am predicting a 2 nil victory for liverpool

with all my respect to Anderlecht, I don´t expect nothing less then a victory. I hope a 2-0 defeat. Maybe playing two strikers upfront

i expect a 1-0 win for Liverpool but i think that it won't be nice to watch, a 0-0 seems possible to me aswell.

RIISE READY TO EXTEND ANDERLECHT'S EURO WOE

John Arne Riise is hoping Anderlecht's precarious position in Champions League Group G will aid Liverpool's quest for another three points in the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium on Wednesday night.
The famous Belgian club have lost their opening two games in this season's group phase and they know defeat to the Reds will virtually end their slim hopes of qualification.

With this in mind, Riise is expecting Les Mauves to be on the offensive from the first whistle and believes this could leave gaps at the back for Liverpool to exploit.

"Both teams have a lot to play for. We know if we win Anderlecht will struggle to catch us and we are confident of doing just that," said Riise at a pre-match press conference in Brussels.

"They need to score but if they come forward then it could leave space for us. We have proved we are strong defensively and we are not worrying about them. We are just concentrating on playing our own game.

"It's been well documented how Anderlecht have lost a few games on the spin in the Champions League but I am sure they will be determined to put this right against us.

"Despite their poor record in Europe recently they remain a very strong team and, whatever anyone says, it's going to be a hard game but we are ready. The manager and coaches have given us all the advice we need."

Riise has not figured as prominently in the Liverpool first team this season but he's in contention for a starting place against Anderlecht and insists he has no problem with this new rotation policy.

"Last season injuries meant I played more games. This season Zenden has arrived, Warnock has done really well and now Kewell is also on his way back so there is a lot of competition for places down the left hand side," adds the Norwegian.

"The manager has explained the situation to all the players and everyone accepts that they may be rested from tine to time during the course of the campaign."

I'd like to see both Garcia and Sinama start this game. I have no idea who will start up front, Cisse wants to start, Crouch will give them immense problems in handling him and Morientes is fit again. I really look forward to Rafa's line-ups these days, as avid supporters we have problems predicting our own team imagine how much of a problem it must be for the opposing manager. This is a must win game though especially after Chelsea managed a somewhat fortunate 1-0 victory over them.

rumours around the camp fire are suggesting that Morientes will parter Cisse in an attacking 4-4-2 formation tonight

What about Kewell? Any news if he´ll be really playing?

I like this 4-4-2 formation, even with the fact that Morientes can´t score at all and missed three ridiculous chances against Blackburn.

Liverpool are going into this game in good form after their weekend victory, Anderlect has been bad in the CL for the past 3 years i knew them and i don't think they can block Liverpool, 0-2 win the Champions with Cisse bagging the double

Kewell is on the bench. He might play around 15 minutes at the most.

hey guys could sumone plzzzzzzz provide me with a link to Live comm. i wanna lisen to the game... do u think five live will broadcast it ? just provide me with links guys plz

thnx:)

I told you before post in the requests section. I've looked around for links and can't find one. If I can get one I'll give it to you. Are you in the U.K.? Because if you're not I'm not sure 5live will work and if you are, turn on the radio

EDIT: Be online on SP 5 minutes before the game starts, I might be able to help you then

Sami Hyypia has been recalled to the Liverpool side for tonight's Champions League clash against Anderlecht in Brussels as Rafa Benitez makes four changes to the side that started against Blackburn on Saturday.
Luis Garcia, Dietmar Hamann and John Arne Riise also returns, while Harry Kewell steps up his comeback by being named among the substitutes.

Team in full: Reina, Josemi, Traore, Hyypia, Riise, Carragher, Sissoko, Hamann, Alonso, Garcia, Cisse. Subs - Carson, Finnan, Kewell, Crouch, Morientes, Warnock, Zenden.


----------------Reina--------------
Josemi---JC--------Sami--Traore
--------------Hamman-------------
Garcia---Alonso--Sissoko---Riise
----------------Cisse

interesting line-up. my initial reaction was 3-5-2 with josemi and riise as wing-backs and garcia playing behind cisse, but maybe it's 4-5-1 as oliverw suggested.

Reina, Josemi, Traore, Hyypia, Riise, Carragher, Sissoko, Hamann, Alonso, Garcia, Cisse. Subs - Carson, Finnan, Kewell, Crouch, Morientes, Warnock, Zenden.

The team for tonight

No real suprises. Riise back in, 4-5-1 and Ciise in for crouch. Hopefully Kewell and super Moro can get some time in from off the bench too

I wouldn't be at all surprised if it is 5 3 1 1 mate

rafa has just said its a 4-2-3-1 in a pre-match interview and we will be setting up like this:


----------------Reina--------------
Josemi---JC--------Sami--Traore
-------Hamman---Alonso----------
----Garcia---Sissoko---Riise-------
----------------Cisse

hey man sorry i didnt no which forum ur talking about as there r about over a 100000000000000000000000000000000001 forums here
so can u just provide me with the link plz....

thnx

i think he meant

http://www.soccerpulse.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=63729

there.

holy shit what a goal!

Cisse!
Cisse!
Cisse!!!!

yes 1-0
time to go offline now to watch the matches lol.

who scored ??

could sumone plz provide me a link to live comm.

n could sumone plz describe Cisse's goal plzzzzzzzz

thnx

take a wild stab in the dark

From what I can read, Riise is having a pretty decent game. Can someone fill me in, since they´ll not be showing even the rerun for this game here

can someone describe the goal please

riise is playing well, but hes just doing simple stuff... which in the premiership wouldn't work, the anderlecht right back (van borre) is young and inexperienced, and is just getting took in EASILY, but hes having a good game none the less.



corner kick, ball is in the air mid height and cisse vollys it from 9.6 yards out and it reaches 62.4 MPH by the time it hit the net , side foot too... placed it into the roof of the net, keeper had no chance.

kewell on - cisse off

COME ON HARRY!

OH DJIBBY BABY WHAT A BEAUTY

full time 1-0, 3 points..

a little worrying near the end, very open game.
3 points is all that matters... we are 2nd now though on goal difference, looks like its gonna be Liverpool and Chelsea through

team-----------pts------gd
Chelsea...........7....... +5
Liverpool..........7....... +2
Betis................3....... - 4
Anderlecht........0........ -3

4 points ahead of Betis... we got Betis and Anderlecht at home.
Chelsea have Betis and Anderlecht away
then L'pool meet Chelsea at the Bridge

i'm gonna stick my neck on the line with this but i feel:

Chelsea will beat Anderlecht away
Liverpool will beat Anderlecht at home
Betis will beat Anderlecht at home

Chelsea will beat Betis away
Liverpool will beat Betis at home

Chelsea will beat Liverpool at home

and the table will look like:

Chelsea...........16 points
Liverpool..........13 points
Betis................6 points
Anderlecht........0 points

thats my hunch

read somewhere that riise cut in from the left and almost curled one in the top corner with his RIGHT FOOT!!!!!!!!! hehehehe
jus tryin to picture that in my mind.....................

how lucky they were.. ..nice reflex hand save by carragher to wilhemsons pass..

yes! I knew it would be 1-0! Only full result I got right on my predictions Thanks LFC 3 points for us!
Nice that Cissé scored, he is our best striker, IMO. I was not able to se the match (damn brasilian TV only shows AC Milan ), only the goal, but I´ll check the highlights later to see how the team did.

Sissoko playing right wing was a bit of a flanker by Rafa. Wouldn't have predicted that in a month of Sundays. They played some great football Anderlecht and are unlucky not to have scored. Having said that if Liverpool finished properly then we could have had 3 or even 4 at push. We deservedit in the end, but if Anderlecht had a decent striker it could have been different

happy with the 3 points
as oliver said we are 2nd in the table. I hope betis get a draw against chelsea at home. Thats when we can take the lead again of chelsea

really ? and i thought liverpool are never lucky with handballs?

if you call a cross from two yards with pace, accidently hitting a hand... handball, then yeh we are lucky..

if you knew football rules and realised it was ball to hand, you'd realise it was a lame ass shout to win a penalty because they were desperate.

I havent seen it thats why i asked "really?"
If you look at the comments by Tozz it certainly wont seem to be like what you are saying. I am merely going by his comments so put a hold on the arrogance. I think i know football rules just as well as you.

Plz dont jump to conclusions. I was too busy watching the chelsea game to see the Liverpool game. Both my statements were followed by question marks.

Come on gents. We've still got 2 more games against each other left this season yet. Save some of the arguing for them at least

I've waited long for that game!!because that was Liverpool against Anderlecht..!!
Liverpool my all time fav team and Anderlecht my only country team in CPL!!
But anyway I surely was for Liverpool And they really played well!!They deserved the victory!!They managed to win without Captain Gerrard;)
I hope soon we'll overtake Chelsea on the table!!