Put simply, ninety minutes separate Liverpool and Marseille from ecstasy or agony. The winner is guaranteed to qualify for the knock-out stages of Europe’s premier club competition.
However, things are never that simple in football, and if a draw is reached on Tuesday night then the door concealing many permutations shall be flung open: honours even means the French outfit prevail due to a superior head-to-head record, courtesy of a 1-0 victory at Anfield on Matchday 2.
If Porto lose at home to Besiktas, however, matters become complicated yet further. Should the Turks register a shock victory at the Stadio Dragao, they will qualify, and Liverpool would join them thanks to a better goal difference in the head-to-heads between the Reds, Marseille and Porto, all of whom would finish on 8 points.
Of course (if only to avoid such complicated equations) the noises emanating from Merseyside have predominately focused solely on winning the tie. Steven Gerrard has already issued a battle-cry and the Liverpool fans have heeded their captain’s call as thousands upon thousands of Kopites are expected to flock to the south of France.
The stakes could not be higher for Liverpool, as many feel that with a very public rift between manager and owners apparent, failure to qualify for the final stages of the Champions League may signal Rafael Benitez' Anfield exit.
American custodians of Liverpool FC, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, have been deeply entrenched in all things financial, from reconstructing the expenditure on the new stadium to quenching Benitez’s thirst for big transfer buys. With the lucrative income-stream from the Champions League under serious threat of being hastily cut-off, Hicks and Gillett may see adequate justification to sack the Spaniard and bring in a less-demanding manager.
FORM GUIDE
Marseille
08 December v Monaco (H) WON 2-0
01 December v Lille(A) DREW 1-1
28 November v Besiktas (H) WON 2-0 (CL)
24 November v Metz (H) WON 3-1
11 November v Lyon (A) WON 1-2
Liverpool
08 December v Reading (A) LOST 3-1
02 December v Bolton (H) WON 4-0
28 November v Porto (H) WON 4-1 (CL)
24 November v Newcastle (A) WON 0-3
10 November v Fulham (H) WON 2-0
However, things are never that simple in football, and if a draw is reached on Tuesday night then the door concealing many permutations shall be flung open: honours even means the French outfit prevail due to a superior head-to-head record, courtesy of a 1-0 victory at Anfield on Matchday 2.
If Porto lose at home to Besiktas, however, matters become complicated yet further. Should the Turks register a shock victory at the Stadio Dragao, they will qualify, and Liverpool would join them thanks to a better goal difference in the head-to-heads between the Reds, Marseille and Porto, all of whom would finish on 8 points.
Of course (if only to avoid such complicated equations) the noises emanating from Merseyside have predominately focused solely on winning the tie. Steven Gerrard has already issued a battle-cry and the Liverpool fans have heeded their captain’s call as thousands upon thousands of Kopites are expected to flock to the south of France.
The stakes could not be higher for Liverpool, as many feel that with a very public rift between manager and owners apparent, failure to qualify for the final stages of the Champions League may signal Rafael Benitez' Anfield exit.
American custodians of Liverpool FC, Tom Hicks and George Gillett, have been deeply entrenched in all things financial, from reconstructing the expenditure on the new stadium to quenching Benitez’s thirst for big transfer buys. With the lucrative income-stream from the Champions League under serious threat of being hastily cut-off, Hicks and Gillett may see adequate justification to sack the Spaniard and bring in a less-demanding manager.
FORM GUIDE
Marseille
08 December v Monaco (H) WON 2-0
01 December v Lille(A) DREW 1-1
28 November v Besiktas (H) WON 2-0 (CL)
24 November v Metz (H) WON 3-1
11 November v Lyon (A) WON 1-2
Liverpool
08 December v Reading (A) LOST 3-1
02 December v Bolton (H) WON 4-0
28 November v Porto (H) WON 4-1 (CL)
24 November v Newcastle (A) WON 0-3
10 November v Fulham (H) WON 2-0
TEAM NEWS
Marseille
Eric Gerets didn’t have the luxury of being able to rest his players against Monaco, instead he named his strongest line-up in the 2-0 victory. But there will be no complaints over tiredness from the French side, as the players themselves have billed this game as the most important of their season so far.
When the group was announced, many felt Marseille would become the whipping boys, but after their stylish victory at Anfield the French have emerged as strong candidates for qualification. Ex-Red Bolo Zenden is likely to feature against his former paymasters and will be looking to pull the strings for Gerets’ side.
Meanwhile, another ex-Red, Dijbril Cissé, may have fallen off the tracks this season but has shown that he can be an effective substitute.
Liverpool
Rafael Benitez has denied accusations that he cut his losses in the 3-1 defeat by Reading after substituting Gerrard in the 70th minute. Either way, Liverpool’s captain was afforded twenty minutes extra rest and will definitely lead the Reds out in the Stade Velodrome.
Who shall play alongside him is another question. Both holding midfielders, Momo Sissoko and Javier Mascherano started at the Madejski on Saturday, and with the result so crucial on Tuesday, Benitez may opt for a conservative formation and field the two again.
Otherwise, Daniel Agger is training again following his lengthy lay-off, but Benitez will probably not risk the Dane in such a high-profile game, and will most likely start Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia. Fernando Torres seems to have recovered from a slight knock picked up against Reading and will be included in the squad.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Marseille – Niang
The explosive striker has been Marseille’s only real threat in front of goal this season. With 8 goals he comfortably leads the club’s scoring charts and will be the main threat against Liverpool. Although not much of a team player, the striker has pace, power and desire to keep any backline occupied.
Liverpool – Steven Gerrard
Once again the stage is set for Liverpool’s favourite son to shine. His abilities are world-class and well-known, the only question remaining is whether he can drag his team from the brink of despair and into triumph as he did against Olympiacos and AC Milan in the glorious Champions League run of 2005.
Marseille
Eric Gerets didn’t have the luxury of being able to rest his players against Monaco, instead he named his strongest line-up in the 2-0 victory. But there will be no complaints over tiredness from the French side, as the players themselves have billed this game as the most important of their season so far.
When the group was announced, many felt Marseille would become the whipping boys, but after their stylish victory at Anfield the French have emerged as strong candidates for qualification. Ex-Red Bolo Zenden is likely to feature against his former paymasters and will be looking to pull the strings for Gerets’ side.
Meanwhile, another ex-Red, Dijbril Cissé, may have fallen off the tracks this season but has shown that he can be an effective substitute.
Liverpool
Rafael Benitez has denied accusations that he cut his losses in the 3-1 defeat by Reading after substituting Gerrard in the 70th minute. Either way, Liverpool’s captain was afforded twenty minutes extra rest and will definitely lead the Reds out in the Stade Velodrome.
Who shall play alongside him is another question. Both holding midfielders, Momo Sissoko and Javier Mascherano started at the Madejski on Saturday, and with the result so crucial on Tuesday, Benitez may opt for a conservative formation and field the two again.
Otherwise, Daniel Agger is training again following his lengthy lay-off, but Benitez will probably not risk the Dane in such a high-profile game, and will most likely start Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia. Fernando Torres seems to have recovered from a slight knock picked up against Reading and will be included in the squad.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Marseille – Niang
The explosive striker has been Marseille’s only real threat in front of goal this season. With 8 goals he comfortably leads the club’s scoring charts and will be the main threat against Liverpool. Although not much of a team player, the striker has pace, power and desire to keep any backline occupied.
Liverpool – Steven Gerrard
Once again the stage is set for Liverpool’s favourite son to shine. His abilities are world-class and well-known, the only question remaining is whether he can drag his team from the brink of despair and into triumph as he did against Olympiacos and AC Milan in the glorious Champions League run of 2005.
1 comment:
England lost already...if Liverpool don't make it tonight, next year would be kind of f**king boring. Is Rafa going to be the next Mc'clown...
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