Liverpool vs. Zenit

The time has come. This is truly the biggest and most important game of the season. Arguable the biggest European game at Anfield since hosting Atletico Madrid in April 2010, in a game where Luis Suarez' compatriot, Diego Forlan, broke the hearts of tens of millions of Liverpool fans, and sent the Spanish side to the Hamburg final. That night was our last special European night in the past few years...I will never forget that day, because until 2 hour before the KO I was at the hospital recovering from a kidney stone, but I went straight from the hospital to the bar, to watch that game. Let me remind you of that:

At 0-0, a glorious pass and move football, didn't come to goal. What a goal it would have been:




Just before the stroke of half time, and low Yossi Benayoun side, saw Alberto Aquilani his last ever goal in a Liverpool shirt:




The second half went on with both teams missing some half-chances, the game ended 0-0 and went to extra time. Aquilani was subbed off for El Zhar, and we still had Ngog as our biggest attacking threat.

In the beginning of the extra time, Yossi Benayoun scored his last ever Liverpool goal, and he started crying after scoring the goal that nearly took us to another European final:




Unfortunately, a few minutes later, Diego Forlan took a big advantage of a defensive laps by us, and we were eliminated due to the flawed rule of away goals. That night, was the end of an era. But, we were so close.

Almost 3 years later, Anfield faces a similar task. We are behind in a European tie, and need to make a comeback. Even if we don't succeed (like the Atletico game), I wish we give it a good go. I wish the stadium makes those racist Russia poop their underwear. I wish We make them fear.

We will go in this game as under-dogs. But we need Anfield to act as our 12th man, to rock the place, and then

SEMPRE ES POSIBLE !

SO COME ON YOU MIGHTY RED OF LIVERPOOL. YOU BEAUTIFUL BASTARDS THAT I F*CKING HATE, AND LOVE.

GO ON AND MAKE A GAME OF IT !!!!!!!!!

--------------------Reina---------------------
Wisdom-----Carra------Agger------Johnson
--------------Gerrard---Lucas---------------
---Downing--------Henderson-----Enrique--
---------------------Suarez-------------------

Bench: Jones, Skrtel, Allen, Sterling, Suso, Shelvey, Assaidi

Messiah "Aggerswagger" wrote:If we go with one of these line-ups I can possible see us taking the tie all the way to the end. Possibly pens.

Reina
Wisdom - Skrtel - Agger - Enrique
Gerrard - Lucas
Downing - Hendo - Johnson
Suarez

or

Reina
Skrtel - Carra - Agger
Downing - Gerrard - Lucas - Johnson
Hendo
Suarez --- Enrique

We MUST start both Agger and Skrtel because they provide a goalscoring threat from set pieces, something that Carra doesn't. Sterling should NOT be anywhere on the pitch from the start. We might need his pace by the end of the game though. No Allen or Shelvey either. We need SUSO and Coates to be ready on the bench to come on any second as well. If we go with 3-5-2 formation I would love for Coates to start as well to add even a bigger threat from set pieces.

If we don't go with one of these formations, our chances are slim. We'll put everything on Suarez's shoulders and hope for the best which as we all know back-fires more than not.

posted that in the Swansea thread

I'm glad you're all so up for this tie, but I'd hardly liken it to that Atletico Madrid match in 2010.

For one, this isn't evenly poised. We're 2-0 behind and likely to face a bit of a parked vehicle with Zenit leading away from home.

Secondly, we're going into this without a critical piece in our set-up (Daniel Sturridge), or a player capable of playing a similar role (Fabio Borini). This mean's that barring a big tactical gamble, Luis Suarez will be playing as a "lone striker". This fundamentally changes our approach, and alters what has been a very successful formula in the league. We will likely need goals from somewhere else, and that has been less than consistent this season.

Thirdly, we absolutely need to keep a clean sheet. To put it mildly, our defense hasn't been the most reliable aspect of our squad this season. Carragher and Agger will need to put on a master-class in the art of CB-play, and Lucas will need to ensure that most attacks are stifled in the midfield before reaching our back-line. Against player like Hulk, Kerzhakov and Danny, this is easier said than done. They are all capable of putting together a masterful performance on any given day.

To be honest, I rather like the idea of playing Enrique in front of Johnson on the left and giving Wisdom a run-out. Enrique has been good going forward, and is capable enough to know when to drop back to cover Johnson's overlapping. With Sterling failing to impress in the last few matches and our January signings not available, this might just be the strongest line-up we have. However, I could see Rodgers attempting to play the same formation as we have in the last few league games and simply slotting Shelvey into the #10 role and Henderson at the LM slot.

I would rather have Rahim or Assaidi (LW) over Wisdom (with Enrique 'n Glen reverting to their natural positions).

I would also have Gerrard in AM. He is our next best threat (we need at least two goals) after Suarez and need to be as close to the box as possible.

Frankly I see us winning 1-0. But an Istanbulesque show and winning in ET or TB is in the heart. Go Reds.

Well, we need to make it 2 - 0 before anything else happens. If they score while we haven't scored twice, we will need a total of four goals against a side that only has to park the bus and then it will be pure despair. 2 - 0 would tilt the teams' approaches to the game. We could choose to be careful from there on or keep on pushing while Zenit cannot only defend at that point. I don't know is my logic water-tight here, but I'm just thinking if we can make it 2 - 0 in the first-half then it could finish even 4 - 1 and get us through, but if they score before we've got two goals I think that will be the end of it.

I guess I'd start Sterling.

By the way, this is not related just to this game, but

I would also have Gerrard in AM.

Gerrard as AM is a myth nowadays. He often drops to the level of our CBs to pick up the ball. Gerrard is a pure box-to-box midfielder nowadays, imo, in every game.

What will happen if it's 3-1 for Liverpool AET!!!

The key is to get an early (within 30 mins) goal. If we finish HT1 scoreless, it's going to be game over.

Zenith will guard Suarez like Leningrad in WW2 and without Sturridge there is none (other than Gerrard) who can get that goal.

This will be an interesting game.

Zenit will either come out attacking and trying to get the vital away goal.
OR
Sit back with 10 men trying not to concede and then hitting us on the counter.

If we concede we're out. It's as simple as that. And an early goal is vital.

I'd like Skrtel and Agger to pair up in defence and Lucas, Gerrard and Henderson in the middle. Downing should in no way feature in this game or we're essentially playing with 10 men.

Downing is a MUST for this game. We literally have nobody else for Thursday up there. It's Sterling, who should in no way feature from the start in this game. We only need his pace in the late minutes if we still need a goal or in extra time.

And do you guys know that other than Suarez and Gerrard, set pieces are our most dangerous form of attack when Luis plays by himself up front. SO IT IS ESSENTIAL that both Agger and Skrtel start, because we need their presence for our set pieces.

iftikhar wrote:What will happen if it's 3-1 for Liverpool AET!!!

The key is to get an early (within 30 mins) goal. If we finish HT1 scoreless, it's going to be game over.

Zenith will guard Suarez like Leningrad in WW2 and without Sturridge there is none (other than Gerrard) who can get that goal.

We will still get knocked out. Away goals, even after normal time are a pain the a$$.

Messiah "Aggerswagger" wrote:Downing is a MUST for this game. We literally have nobody else for Thursday up there. It's Sterling, who should in no way feature from the start in this game. We only need his pace in the late minutes if we still need a goal or in extra time.

And do you guys know that other than Suarez and Gerrard, set pieces are our most dangerous form of attack when Luis plays by himself up front. SO IT IS ESSENTIAL that both Agger and Skrtel start, because we need their presence for our set pieces.

Downing would provide absolutely NOTHING. I'm sick of this argument. He strugges to beat his man when he has space to move into, how exactly is he going to find space against a team that will most likely come out and defend with 10 men behind the ball?

Also, his crossing is absolutely overrated. He floats the ball into the box atleast 10 times a game only for ONE to find the target of one of our players. Also what's the point of using him if the only thing he DOES do is cross the ball into a flooded box. We don't exactly have runners into the box, and we're definitely not going to win headers with his crossing considering their box is going to be filled up with atleast 7 different players.

Sterling DOES rely on his space at times (so does Downing), but he does have skill. And he actually does look up before he crosses it to see if a better pass is on. He's also got better movement than good old Stewie.

I'd actually play Suarez, Enrique and Suso in the front 3. With Sterling coming off the bench.

I just said that Skrtel and Agger should start...? We do have different reasons though. I don't feel as if the Agger and Carragher partnership is as effective as Skrtel Agger and Jamie and Daniel don't have the same mental understanding as the other partnership has.

I know Downing will start. So rather than debating who should start, let's focus on how it's going to influence our game 'n result.

Downing will (or will try to) send some floaters into the box. But Suarez will be heavily guarded and there will be few other to take advantage (specially in the air). Our best chance will be to retain the Zenith clearance and try again.

Downing can take corners but Gerrard can do that better. Since it's our CB who pose the most threat, having Gerrad in the box will not count for much.

Downing can find himself in good shooting position (as focus will be on Suarez), but his shooting is....

However, knowing Downing will track back Glen might become more focused in attacking and his dribbling can draw a few away from guarding Suarez.

Rahim, Suso or Assaidi are too young for a cruch game and they haven't played frequently. However, this can be an advantage as Zenith don't have any idea about them either.

For me Downing is predictable while others are a gamble.

Downing must start.

Downing haters have become boring...the lad has been very good lately. Bench him for an 18 year old lad who has little confidence at the moment? Or a fragile Moroccan who hasn't played since October? or a bald CM who has been criticized so much lately, and is under pressure.

We can't take risks here....we need to play our best performers and most in-form players. players who have no rust. Downing WILL PROTECT WISDOM in my preferred line-up and he will give an outlet. Stewvie

p.s. as much of a goal threat that Skrtel is, Carra is our most in-form defender, and I have more hopes of clean sheet with Carra on the side now, compared to anyone else.

Pointless discussing Downing because it's obvious he'll start.

It's our CB pairing plus the other winger who are the only question marks. In fact very little to realistically talk about our line-up.

Harry Redknapp wrote:Downing must start.

Downing haters have become boring...the lad has been very good lately. Bench him for an 18 year old lad who has little confidence at the moment? Or a fragile Moroccan who hasn't played since October? or a bald CM who has been criticized so much lately, and is under pressure.

We can't take risks here....we need to play our best performers and most in-form players. players who have no rust. Downing WILL PROTECT WISDOM in my preferred line-up and he will give an outlet. Stewvie

p.s. as much of a goal threat that Skrtel is, Carra is our most in-form defender, and I have more hopes of clean sheet with Carra on the side now, compared to anyone else.

Downing haters have became boring? Really?

1) You actually used to "bash" him.
2) The only reason he's you've been impressed by his recent performances are because we're winning more games. He's still the useless player he was last season.
3) Skrtel is more of a goal threat than good old Stewie.

I got a feeling we will go through.

Nishank wrote:I got a feeling we will go through.

Yeah me too. Just feels like it will be one of those special European nights a la Olympiakos and Besiktas at Anfield.

how about this one
--- --lucas-----hendo---
downing----suarez---suso
-------------gerrard (as striker)
may be i m too ignorant or mad, anyways while I know this aint gonna happen; I am having such a nice week after bayern win over arsenal so i dont wanna......... btw I would hav seriously practised such combination in training and would hav had a look if it can work! tbh, gerrard has played there before.

Based on some rumours, this will be the team , will be disappointed if true

----------------------PR25-----------------------
GJ2--------JC23-------------DA5----------JS3
------------SG8--------------LL21---------------
---SD19--------------JA24------------------JH14
------------------------LS7------------------------

Bench: Jones, Shelvey, Coates, Wisdom, Suso, Assaidi, Sterling

Looks like BR wants to make sure we won't be vulnerable to counter attacks by starting both Allen and Lucas. It looks very thin in attack, we need a goal or 2 from Hendo/Downing, because We can only count on 2 goals from Suarez.

Ugh, early goal, extremely vital

Harry Redknapp wrote:Based on some rumours, this will be the team , will be disappointed if true

----------------------PR25-----------------------
GJ2--------JC23-------------DA5----------JS3
------------SG8--------------LL21---------------
---SD19--------------JA24------------------JH14
------------------------LS7------------------------

Bench: Jones, Shelvey, Coates, Wisdom, Suso, Assaidi, Sterling

Looks like BR wants to make sure we won't be vulnerable to counter attacks by starting both Allen and Lucas. It looks very thin in attack, we need a goal or 2 from Hendo/Downing, because We can only count on 2 goals from Suarez.

Ugh, early goal, extremely vital

No Skrtel on the bench & instead our Harry Houdini is on the bench Mr. Assaidi . . . that looks doubtful

No Skrtel on the bench seems very weird. In fact one would think that he would be the first on the bench list.

I'm not sure how we're going to get 3 goals to advance with that lineup.

MS37 is injured.

http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/skrtel-set-to-miss-zenit-clash

Yup Skrtel is injured

Training at Melwood the day before the game



No Skrtel, Borini, Kelly, and Yesil since they are injured.

You know Sepi, in my University within the realm of our study of quantam mechanics, we have come across something that is known as the "Noetic theory". Basically it is how beliefs, thoughts, and intentions affect the physical world, or in our context, that our the collective belief of fans can affect a certain outcome for a team. Now as a staunch man of science I do not believe in it yet there is some semblance of concrete evidence behind it. You feel it too don't you? That random vehement zeal that overcomes us when faced at what are usually insurmountable results, catalysed by the collective belief and passion of the Red Army? Few days ago, I didn't have the slightest belief yet reflecting on our years of history, what we are capable of, I have felt that same belief wash over me which brings me to be considerably excited for this match. Your wonderful preview only helps to reinforce this sentiment.


Reina
Carra-Agger-Skrtel
Wisdom-Lucas-Gerrard-Glen
Hendo
-Suarez- Enrique-

A 3 man back line, is what I've hoped for us to move onto for a considerable amount of time. A 3 man line would suit Skrtel and especially Agger the most. It can re-enact Carra and Skrtel keeping their discipline while Agger finds room to move up and spray his wonderful passes. The extra man in midfield can potentially allow us to keep more possession and hopefully dominate what is a thinly spread Zenit midfield. Suarez is obvious as he doesn't let the same team off twice with his mistakes. Enrique? Why? Cause not only he is very comfortable in the final third, he seems to have a near telepathic relationship with Luis and can cause substantial damage to the Russians.

Fact is we shouldn't have been too upset about losing to Zenit in their home as before Milan defeated them this year, they were unbeaten for 4 years within their home and have grown stronger since their inner conflict has died down.

Hopefully Anfield won't be the morgue it usually and I have a feeling it will have atmosphere that it once had. We have nothing to lose in this match, I hope we do our best.

Considering being 2 goals down, i'm all for a 3 man back line, we need to win 3-0. With just downing and hendo or sterling as our wingers there's no chance that will happen. Suarez will be heavily marked and our biggest threat could be shut out. They will come to park the bus, we need to attack even if it leave us vulnerable in defense.

We need Stevie to pull off another magical night in Europe.

Reina

Carra Skrtel Agger

Jose Lucas Gerrard Glen

Downing Suarez Sterling

Oh how i was DS and PC were playing.