CL: Liverpool v Benfica (P+R)

[0le_Spain]

Hard to predict. Depends on how focused and sharp Liverpool come out, they tend to play much better at home. The atmosphere does play a role and if Anfield is up for it like it was against Chelsea or Juve in the CL last season it could have a big impact but like Vinnie said if Benfica can withstand the pressure the first 25-30 mins and they are solid at the back then things can even out more but the pressure is on Liverpool because the only way they 'might' be safe is by scoring three goals or else they'll have to be very solid on defense and a bit lucky not to concede (which they are capable of).

 

[Virgo]

news reports say Petit is injured and will miss the match..... not now

 

[Vinnie Jones]

Hmmm without Petit, Benfica´s chances lower drastically. In terms of influence, i have no doubts that he is the Gerrard of Benfica. He is always there, in big or less important matches, unlike Simão. This leaves me very pessimistic.

 

[Kibe Kru]

If Benfica players won't be influenced by the atmosphere at Anfield, Liverpool players will probably be more motivated to give 110% in it...

as I said before, I ain't too confident, but I think Liverpool will edge it

 

[Pizarro14]

believe me, nobody beats Koeman for strange lineups....remember, this is the guy who insists on putting Beto (probably the worst professional footballer in Europe) in the starting line-up

This is the same moron who almost took that player's eye from the Liverpool-Benfica game right?


I hope they go to a penalty shootout.

so 1-0 Liverpool

 

[::shinji::]

This is the same moron who almost took that player's eye from the Liverpool-Benfica game right?

well that was completely accidental, but yeah, it's the same player..

 

[Pizarro14]

well that was completely accidental, but yeah, it's the same player..

Yea I guess your right, but seriously he sucks that bad? heh.

 

[::shinji::]

Beto always plays with a lot of heart and spirit, he's just one of those players that never seems to do anything right....consistantly makes horrible passes, does stupid fouls, etc

 

[Djibril Cisse]

I know people say Benfica players won't be affected by The Kop but the same thing was said before the Juve tie and look what happened then

 

[Nakamura]

Without Petit, we're f*cked...

 

[::shinji::]

yeah, the odds keep getting stacked against us. Without Petit our midfield will be an open road to the net for Liverpool. Oh well, at least it'll make UEFA very happy to see us go out...

 

[Nakamura]

Seems that there was even a bomb threat last night in the hotel where Benfica is!

 

[Vinnie Jones]

Yep...the civilized world. It doesn´t surprise me though, i heard Liverpool supporters threw rocks at the ambulance who was carrying Alan Smith after his serious injury. Dispicable acts. Let´s hope Benfica doesn´t get intimidated by that.

 

[Lean]

That doesn´t really matter nowadays. Benfica´s stadium and their european nights are known as the "Inferno da Luz", Luz infernum and they have far more capacity in the stands. Nowadays professional footballers aren´t so influenciated by that.
Benfica will have to hold the first 30 mins, unfortunately i think Liverpool is more experienced and will go through, but hey, anything can happen.

That's the thing. Pressure on Anfield is even bigger, because the stands are close and our supporters make a lot of noise. And some of those professional footballers are influenced by that, especially the home team. It's called motivation.

Anyway, no need to translate portuguese for me, Eu Sou Brasileiro.

 

[Vinnie Jones]

Heh i know that you are Brazilian, it was aimed to the Liverpool fans who don´t know portuguese. And yes Anfield is extremely intimidating, i´m not sure but they broke some record last year about being the noisiest crowd in a football field. It must be defening.

 

[Neutral LFC]

This is going to be a very difficult match for Liverpool, even though we are at home. We have to score two without reply to win and Benfica are a really organized side - it wasn't fluke they knocked out United. Meanwhile, Liverpool's strikers lately seem unable to score in a whorehouse with a handful of $100s.....

I'm crossing my fingers!

 

[Lean]

Heh i know that you are Brazilian, it was aimed to the Liverpool fans who don´t know portuguese. And yes Anfield is extremely intimidating, i´m not sure but they broke some record last year about being the noisiest crowd in a football field. It must be defening.

Hehe, yea really. Last season, Garcia's goal against Chelsea. It gave me the chills watching the crowd on TV. That was probably the occasion the record was broken i guess.

 

[Tiago_10]

Petit is a very important player in our midfield, a shame he's out... So the team that starts should be like this according to the press, and considering Petit's absence.


Edit: Correction, here is the expected eleven with Nuno Gomes and Geovanni.

--------------Moretto--------------
Alcides----Luisão----Anderson---Léo

--------M.Fernandes---Beto--------

Robert-------Nuno Gomes------Simão

--------------Geovanni-------------

 

[Johnny_Big]

Beto is a player that plays almost the same way as Petit. But he hasn't got the skill that Petit has. Surely, a great loss for Benfica. Sometimes, it just tires to see Petit play...in his best form...he is everywhere!

 

[dirion]

My prediction for tonights match is 3-1 to Liverpool... With Fowler, Crouch and Gerrard scoring one goal each, Fowler in the 86th minute