Benfica v/s Liverpool

Playing against Benfica may seem like an easy tie but may turn out to be a disguise. They knocked Man Utd out of the UCL and really played well and proved the punters wrong. If Liverpool are not too disrupted by injuries, they may take this game. Liverpool are looking to make it 3 wins in just 11 days. They face a Benfica side that’s not been in the best of form lately as they have lost 3 of their previous 5 matches. This is going to be the 7^th meeting between the two sides and Liverpool are clearly the better side as they hav won 5 out of the previous 6 meetings.   

Team News

The return of goal keeper Jose Reina gives Liverpool a boost. The back four will be unchanged from the one that beat Man Utd on Saturday. Xabi Alonso makes his return after he was sidelined thanks to a thigh strain. Robbie Fowler looks set to make his champions league debut in Liverpool colors as he and Morientes is Benitez’s preferred front line. Peter Crouch, despite scoring against Man Utd will start from the bench.

Liverpool XI (Possible)

Reina

Carragher

Finnan

Riise

Hyypia

Alonso

Kewell

Sissoko

Gerrard

Fowler

Morientes

Subs: Dudek, Crouch, Garcia, Warnock, Agger

Team News

Benfica will be without influential Brazilian playmaker Geovanni and Italy striker Fabrizio Miccoli, but former Newcastle winger Laurent Robert has shaken off a thigh strain and could feature.

Benfica XI (Possible)

Moretto

Nelson

Luisao

Anderson

Leo

Laurent Robert

M. Fernandes

Petit

Simao

Marcel

Nuno Gomez

The department that Benfica surpass Liverpool is the Striker department as Marcel and Nuno Gomez have scored 22 goals in all competitions between each other which surpass the Liverpool striker mark. However, with Gerrard in midfield, Liverpool looked to dominate the game and create chances, which the upfront men must convert it to take the 1st leg.

How Liverpool can beat Benfica?
- Hyypia and Carragher should be marking their men, Marcel and Nuno, tightly as they are very prolific goal scorers. Marking them effectively would mean no goals conceded.
- Our strikers should be scoring if not winning at the Estadio da Luz in order to have an advantage at Anfield on away goal.
- Perhaps man marking would be more efficient that zonal. You agree?
- Their midfielder, Simao, is also known for spot on crosses and a winger specialist and will be playing head to head to Steven Gerrard. If Sissoko and Gerrard could compliment each other well, Simao won't have chance.
- Finish off the game early because Liverpool always dominate the early 30 mins or half time but usually manage to kill off the game and were made to pay like the Birmingham game.

How can Benfica beat Liverpool?

-Instead of playing long balls to Gomez and Marcel they should try playing the ball at the attackers’ feet. Hyypia and Carragher are very good in the air. Hyypia has been deceptive when the ball is played towards the attackers’ feet.  

- Simao must take not be daunted by the task of facing Stevie G. He should take him on and go to the byline to try and get in decent crosses.

- Most importantly they should believe that they can beat the current UCL Champs.

Players to watch:

Benfica: Simao Sebrosa, Nuno Gomez and Geovanni

Liverpool: Gerrard, Kewell, Morientes