Match Preview: Tuesday 06/03/2007 20:45 (GMT +1): Champions League, Last 16, second leg
LIVERPOOL FC - FC BARCELONA

Anfield, Liverpool – Capacity: 45.000
Referee: Herbert Fandel (GER)


Liverpool FC (4-4-2): Reina - Finnan, Agger, Carragher, Arbeloa - Xabi Alonso, Gerrard, Sissoko, Riise - Kuyt, Bellamy (Crouch) - Manager: Rafa Benitez


FC Barcelona (3-4-3): Valdes - Oleguer, Thuram, Puyol - Marquez, Xavi, Deco, Iniesta - Messi, Eto´o, Ronaldinho - Manager: Frank Rijkaard


Match Preview:

A massive game on this evening. European football at it´s best. Liverpool are leading at halftime 2-1 but nothing is decided yet. A call at present: Impossible!


For Liverpool, this is the only trophy left for the season. Out in all domestic cups and with the defeat against Manchester United at home last weekend, Man U and Chelsea seem to race away. Champions League qualifying spot should be the target for the rest of the domestic season. The Champions League is the Reds only chance for glory this year. An exit from the UEFA Champions League and Liverpools season is definetely over.
But what does this mean? Is that the reason why they want it a little bit more than others or does this pile even more pressure on the Merseyside team?


Different situation for FC Barcelona. The Blaugrana are still battling in all competitions. A convincing win in the quarter finals of the Spanish Cup away to Zaragoza, was followed by a defeat against Sevilla and the loss of the La Liga leadership.


There are no real injury worries for both side´s. Rafa Benitez can name the same starting eleven that kicked of in Camp Nou. Will Benitez play Crouch for Bellamy or will he opt for the more defensice tactics and field Bellamy who will drop down in a 5 men midfield? Knowing Rafa Benitez, he will prefer to hold on to the result as long as possible, so the chances for counter attacks will increase.

Bellamy and Kuyt will probably start up front again, a solution Barca can live with. For me, Peter Crouch would be the more dangerous alternative, due to the fact that Barca has no one in defence who could match the tall danger man in the air. Set pieces are the vulnerable point in the Barca team and Peter Crouch would just be the man.


Rijkaard can also pick from a full squad but left Belletti, Ezquerro, Gio and Thiago Motta at home. Rijkaard has played 3 different systems in the last 3 matches. The Barca coach knows that the Blaugrana have to score at least twice at Anfield, the Dutchmen will probably opt for the 3-4-3 system, with Oleguer, Thuram and Puyol in the 3-men-defence and Marquez to anchor the midfield in front of the back three. Deco, Xavi and Iniesta should master the midfield with their incredible passing and ball controlling game, trying to find the spaces in the Liverpool defence and to set up the attacking trio Ronaldinho, Eto´o and Messi. Eto´o will give the team a boost again, especially after he caused so much trouble to a strong Zaragoza defence.


My Prediction:
It is halftime, with Liverpool 2-1 in the lead and home advantage. Actually, it is not only a home advantage, it is the legendary Anfield, which has seen a lot of great European Cup nights.


But Barca is Barca and the team has turned around so many important games, in very difficult situations. Last year, the team won away against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and against AC Milan at San Siro. So, why should Barca not do the trick again?

Liverpool lost last year 0-2 to Benfica, received 6 goals against the Arsenal youngsters in the Carling Cup and lost last week against Manchester United.


I hope, tonights match will be one of the great European Cup matches that everyone will remember, but to be honest, I am more interested in a positive result than the performance of the team.


Liverpool have a better chance of going through as things stand, but we all know, that anything can happen in tonight´s match. An early goal for Barca, a penalty or a red card could change everything on this evening. It all can end up in a disaster, once Barca has to open completely to score the necessary goals. But the good thing is, a goal for Liverpool does not change Barca´s situation a lot and we will have to take that risk.


I believe in the team and I am still optimistic that Barca can do it (Believe and optimism has nothing to do with arrogance!). There is a massive mountain to climb but we have been there already. So, let´s kick off and see what the team is capable off! I can´t wait!


Liverpool - FC Barcelona 0:2 or 1:2 (and win after extra time or penalties)


Visca el Barca!