Liverpool might have a blank weekend - but it is one filled with anticipation for next Tuesday night’s visit of Real Madrid.
All eyes are firmly on the clash against the Spaniards and it should be another unforgettable European night of course.
But for the players, the manager and staff it’s all about doing the business and making the most of the advantage Yossi Benayoun’s header winner in the Bernabeu.
Rafa Benitez certainly knows his way around the European scene and I expect him to be figuring out ways to break down Real - while ensuring there are no slip ups.
We can’t be too cautious and try and defend what we’ve got. That would be wrong. Rafa will remember us winning in Barcelona but losing the return at home, only going through on the away goal rule. He won’t want that again.
I hope the reds do go at Real in a sensible but determined way and get even further ahead on aggregate as soon as possible.
I actually believe it might well be a game where Steven Gerrard could be used on the right hand side.
I saw the number of times we got space on Madrid’s left side in the first game - and Steven has everything in his locker to exploit those gaps again.
Everyone knows how good Stevie is in the centre of midfield or just behind Fernando Torres. But on this occasion I think that role could be tailor-made for him.
But whoever we put on that right side must try and take full advantage of what I believe is a definite weakness.
The other huge thing the Spaniards will have to cope with on Tuesday is the Kop and the rest of the fans at Anfield.
Hopefully they won’t know what has hit them and it will be a completely different atmosphere to the one at Sunderland, when everyone was feeling pretty flat after seeing our title chances take another hit at Boro.
I know supporters were down but I can’t forgive those people who booed Lucas Leiva.
I don’t believe he is good enough to hold down a regular first team place. But he’s a Liverpool player and when he’s in that red shirt everyone must support him.
Booing men in red is most definitely not the Liverpool way and hope we don’t ever hear it again.
Particularly next Tuesday, when every supporter has a part to play in getting behind the lads.
Sunderland points were so important
At least we go into the game against Real Madrid on the back of a victory.
It wasn’t fantastic stuff against Sunderland but the three points were all that mattered after the loss at Middlesbrough - and we got them.
I was at Boro and Rafa Benitez was right when he said if we had taken our chances at the Riverside, particularly early on, then it could have all been so different.
When El Zhar - who to be fair looked quite bright at times - missed that glorious opportunity in the second half you just knew it was not going to be our day.
At that moment it was if the realisation set in that again, it was not going to be our year in terms of the title.
There has been so much going on off the field too that it has just worn everyone down recently. But the important thing now is that no one gives up.
Let’s beat Madrid and then have a real good go at United next weekend.
There is simply nothing to lose - so let’s just go for it and see.
All eyes are firmly on the clash against the Spaniards and it should be another unforgettable European night of course.
But for the players, the manager and staff it’s all about doing the business and making the most of the advantage Yossi Benayoun’s header winner in the Bernabeu.
Rafa Benitez certainly knows his way around the European scene and I expect him to be figuring out ways to break down Real - while ensuring there are no slip ups.
We can’t be too cautious and try and defend what we’ve got. That would be wrong. Rafa will remember us winning in Barcelona but losing the return at home, only going through on the away goal rule. He won’t want that again.
I hope the reds do go at Real in a sensible but determined way and get even further ahead on aggregate as soon as possible.
I actually believe it might well be a game where Steven Gerrard could be used on the right hand side.
I saw the number of times we got space on Madrid’s left side in the first game - and Steven has everything in his locker to exploit those gaps again.
Everyone knows how good Stevie is in the centre of midfield or just behind Fernando Torres. But on this occasion I think that role could be tailor-made for him.
But whoever we put on that right side must try and take full advantage of what I believe is a definite weakness.
The other huge thing the Spaniards will have to cope with on Tuesday is the Kop and the rest of the fans at Anfield.
Hopefully they won’t know what has hit them and it will be a completely different atmosphere to the one at Sunderland, when everyone was feeling pretty flat after seeing our title chances take another hit at Boro.
I know supporters were down but I can’t forgive those people who booed Lucas Leiva.
I don’t believe he is good enough to hold down a regular first team place. But he’s a Liverpool player and when he’s in that red shirt everyone must support him.
Booing men in red is most definitely not the Liverpool way and hope we don’t ever hear it again.
Particularly next Tuesday, when every supporter has a part to play in getting behind the lads.
Sunderland points were so important
At least we go into the game against Real Madrid on the back of a victory.
It wasn’t fantastic stuff against Sunderland but the three points were all that mattered after the loss at Middlesbrough - and we got them.
I was at Boro and Rafa Benitez was right when he said if we had taken our chances at the Riverside, particularly early on, then it could have all been so different.
When El Zhar - who to be fair looked quite bright at times - missed that glorious opportunity in the second half you just knew it was not going to be our day.
At that moment it was if the realisation set in that again, it was not going to be our year in terms of the title.
There has been so much going on off the field too that it has just worn everyone down recently. But the important thing now is that no one gives up.
Let’s beat Madrid and then have a real good go at United next weekend.
There is simply nothing to lose - so let’s just go for it and see.
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