Marseille vs Liverpool

A big week for Liverpool just gets bigger after the defeat at Reading. The next two games against Marseille in the European Champions League and against Manchester United in the Premier League are now absolutely massive games, two real finals in a row. Benitez's summit with his American masters at Anfield on Saturday after Liverpool's game against Manchester United will be especially prickly if (god forbid) failure at Reading is followed up with failure in these two key games

Liverpool fans will have been groaning in frustration after the defeat at Reading, with the dreaded 'r' word of rotation rearing its ugly head again. Benitez is certainly his own man with a strange selection leaving him open to criticism after the defeat. Playing Voronin wide right was at best strange and selecting a midfield with no pace, width or unpredictability was asking for trouble. Its easy in hindsight but most Liverpool fans would have been questioning the team the moment they knew the line-up. Surely one of Kewell, Lucas, Benayoun or Babel could have played to give some pace, creativity or flair.

And so to tonights massive Champions League game. Liverpool due to the strange UEFA rules realistically have to win tonight. The only way a draw will be good enough is if Beskitas pull off a surprise and beat Porto. Liverpool will have an unchanged squad from which to pick from against Marseille. Agger though nearly fit, Alonso and Pennant are all still absent. Marseille have Samir Nasri back in the squad while former Liverpool players Djibril Cisse and Boudewijn Zenden are also set to feature.

Reading apart Liverpool have been building up to some great form of late. Benitez seems to have abandoned his alarming idea of resting Fernando Torres, Harry Kewell is edging back to fitness, the rotation has dropped off and suddenly Liverpool are beginning to look the part again. Liverpool fans can only hope Reading was a rotation inspired blip with Benitez having one eye on this Marseille game.

My hoped for Liverpool team: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hypia, Arbeloa, Benayoun, Mascherano, Gerrard, Kewell, Torres, Crouch but I'm not holding my breath!