Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Chelsea vs Liverpool Carling Cup, Early Team News

Some interesting news coming out ahead of this Carling Cup quarter-final.

Liverpool fans will be relieved that manager Rafael Benitez is going to field a strong side. The big news is that Steven Gerrard is out with a stomach bug (how convenient!) and Xabi Alonso is set to return after a long spell out with the dreaded metatarsal injury. Daniel Agger is still not fit to return as is Jermaine Pennant. Watch out for Rafa springing a surprise in selection or tactics that will have Liverpool fans groaning in anguish.

Chelsea have much bigger injury problems than Liverpool. Terry and Drogba are definitely out with Carvalho still uncertain to return. On the plus side (if you can call it that) the Premier Leagues biggest showpony Michael Ballack returns for this Carling Cup tie. Not sure if the Chelsea fans will consider this a plus but Avram Grant certainly does according to reports. I really can't understand why they persist with him. Pound for pound he really has been the worst value signing - on a par with Winston Bogarde.

Interestingly enough Rafa Benitez's Liverpool are yet to score at Stamford Bridge during his reign (though they should have in last years 2-0 premier league defeat - Gerrard, Kuyt and Bellamy all missing sitters). If Torres plays Liverpool have a chance, if not it will be a painful night with a low score defeat I think!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

wow, what in-depth insight. Thanks!!!

TheAvaGo Group said...

Thanks for the comment! Hope you come by again!

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