Tuesday, April 03, 2007

It's The Quarter Finals!

Champions League beckons and with only 8 teams left in the competition, every club will have the right to feel that they have a chance to win the prestigious European Cup.

Being a Liverpool blogger, of course my concern will be tonight's game against Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven. Seemed like a relatively easy draw on paper but one should not underestimate the Eredivisie leaders.

PSV's coach, Ronald Koeman, was the very man who plotted Liverpool's downfall last season and already, Arsenal were downed by his team in the last 16.

This will be the 3rd time this season that the two teams meet as previously, they've been drawn together in the same group during the group stages with Liverpool getting 4 points out of a possible 6.

Contrasting fortunes for both the teams as Liverpool will go into the game brimming with confidence after the 4-1 thrashing of Arsenal on Saturday while PSV saw their seemingly unassailable lead in the Dutch League slip and are on a run of poor form.

Liverpool will be without Malian midfielder, Momo Sissoko, as he is suspended for this game and therefore, Javier Mascherano could make his Champions League debut at the Phillips Stadium tonight.

Craig Bellamy, who missed Saturday's game due to rib injury, has been passed fit as well as Steven Gerrard, who shook off the slight calf injury and is expected to play on the right hand side of midfield again.

The injury problems faced by PSV is well documented and they will certainly be without towering Brazilian defender, Alex. He scored the all important goal to knock Arsenal out of the Champions League with a header and his presence will be sorely missed by Koeman and his men.

Aruna Kone is a major doubt for this game as well and the burden of scoring goals will land on the lean shoulders of Jefferson Farfan.

Expect a cagey game as both teams will not want to concede the early goal. PSV, who looked short on confidence, will try to hold out and keep a clean sheet while Rafa Benitez's men will want to hit PSV on the counter attack.

Drogballs' Prediction: PSV 0-1 Liverpool.

Possible Lineup: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Aurelio, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, Riise, Kuyt, Bellamy;

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