Filed under: Liverpool, Europa League (UEFA), Football, Match Previews
EUROPA LEAGUE: ESTADIO AXA, THURSDAY MARCH 10, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1800 GMTThe sixth best team in Portugal takes on the sixth best in England as Liverpool look to bring some much-needed gloss to an otherwise troubled campaign.
The Reds have not even had a sniff of silverware since reaching the Champions League final in 2007 and how fitting it would be if Kenny Dalglish could take his resurgent squad all the way to Dublin.
It has hardly been the most memorable run, with a long list of forgettable encounters behind them.
But while Roy Hodgson admitted that it was an unwanted distraction when he did not have enough players in July but having got as far as they can, a big day out in May could be a great catalyst, a symbol of defiance, for the Anfield club.
Andy Carroll could get his first taste of European competition after finally making his Liverpool debut against Manchester United on Sunday.
Key Match-up: Hugo Viana v Raul Meireles. Viana is remembered as being one of the worst flops in a long line of low-quality expensive signings at Newcastle but has been a key man since joining Braga, initially on loan, last season. Meireles has proved a fine purchase and will have to use all of his influence if Liverpool are to come away with a positive result.
Form Guide: Liverpool go into the game on the back of their impressive 3-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday and have lost just once in 10 games. Braga are unbeaten in their last three matches, having picked up a 2-1 win over Benfica at the weekend. Before that they had lost three consecutive matches.
Odds: Braga 2/1 Liverpool 11/8. Draw 9/4
FanHouse UK Picture Galleries: WAGS: Do They Still Matter? | CHEEKY: Things Sport Fans Write
AGELESS: When They Were Young | WTA: Players To Watch | KITS: Best Of The Lot | KITS: And The Worst
AGELESS: When They Were Young | WTA: Players To Watch | KITS: Best Of The Lot | KITS: And The Worst
LIVERPOOL:
After qualifying reasonably comfortably against Rabotnicki and Trabzonspor, Liverpool's run in the Europa League has relied on dour, solid performances away from home.
They ground out goalless draws in Utrecht and Naples, as well as a 1-1 draw at Steaua Bucharest and after a goalless draw in the Czech Republic, they progressed to this point with a scrappy 1-0 win over Sparta Prague at Anfield.
This competition provided a useful building block for Gerard Houllier's time in charge at Anfield and to get something to show for a frustrating and confusing campaign could be significant come the summer.
Even if they miss out on Champions League football, a first club honour in five years might be enough to persuade someone like Pepe Reina to stay on so it should not be taken lightly.
Danny Wilson has been a fan of the competition, with most of the former Rangers youngster's appearances coming in Europe.
And the Scot, who played in his country's 3-0 win over Northern Ireland at the Aviva Stadium, thinks that a sound performance in Portugal could be a significant stepping stone in returning to Dublin.
"I played in the Aviva stadium with Scotland last month and it was impressive," Wilson told the club's official website.
"It would be great to play there in a final with Liverpool and there would be some atmosphere, but before we can start thinking about that right now our only focus is Braga.
"It will be a tough test for us because I don't think you get to this stage of the Europa League without being a good team.
"They beat Arsenal at home and you need to be a good team to beat them, so we will need to be on our guard.
"Any European game is tricky because you are sometimes playing against the unknown and players you won't have come across before."
Strategy: Much has changed since Dalglish replaced Hodgson but the trip to Sparta Prague showed that the new man will be happy with a similarly cautious approach to away legs. Dalglish's reign has been characterized by a new-found defensive solidity on their travels and he would readily accept a clean sheet. There is nothing to be gained from rushing Carroll into the starting XI unless he is totally fit but with Luis Suarez ineligible, he may opt for a forward line of Dirk Kuyt and David Ngog, while Joe Cole is also likely to feature.
Injury update: Captain Steven Gerrard has not travelled due to a minor groin problem. Daniel Agger is struggling with a thigh problem and Fabio Aurelio and Martin Kelly are both out with hamstring injuries.
Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/03/09/braga-v-liverpool-preview-ready-to-go/
Roberto Ayala Robin Soderling Robin Van Persie Robinho Roger Federer
No comments:
Post a Comment