UEFA Champions League Qualifying Third Round First Leg
Fixture: Wednesday 15th August 2007Kick off: 3:30pm at Stadium Municipal
Liverpool’s first competitive European fixture of the season as the Reds face a mid-afternoon clash against last season’s 3rd place side in France.
Previous Meetings:
Liverpool have only played Toulouse once before 51 years ago. The Reds lost a friendly at the Stadium Municipal 3-1 in 1956.
Team News:
Rafa intends to keep the same line up that won against Aston Villa. But seriously, expect some more of the infamous squad rotation. With Crouch, Benayoun and Mascherano all missing out even on places on the bench, they are likely to feature in this clash. Rafa will not be underestimating the importance of this game, and although the Reds have a weekend clash against Chelsea in their sights a strong first team presence is expected. The Reds have no major injury worries ahead of this game.
Opponents:
Toulouse lost their first game of the season but scored a last minute winner to defeat 10- man Lyon (reigning French champions at the weekend). Johan Elmander was the goalscorer. Toulouse’s most interestingly named player is Moussa Sissoko (apparently no relation to Liverpool’s Momo). The club itself was only founded in 1937, and in 1967 sold it’s place in the league and all of its players to Red Star Paris. The club was reformed in 1970. The club can consider itself lucky to be playing Champions League football. They were awarded a victory after a draw with Nantes due to the opposing supporters invading the pitch to express their displeasure at Nantes performances.
