Crouch to Villa?

The 'Mirror is reporting Peter Crouch is to be the subject of a 10 million bid by Aston Villa in January. Seems a little strange to me given O'Neill already has another beanpole in John Carew. Looks like its more column filling speculation and I really cant see Rafa parting with him in January. He may have struggled to get in the side this year but theres plenty of time for him to come good & its often what happens.

Anything is possible next summer of course but I cant see it coming off in January. Now if he was to sell Kuyt or Voronin and use Babel as a forward I'd be really happy!

Fergie warming up for the showdown

I see old Fergie is warming up for the weekend showdown. He's quoted in the 'Star as saying its all coming together just at the right time to take on the 'Arse. It really should be some game on Saturday. Both sides are bang in form and play great football, Arsenal particularly.

Personally I think Man U will just edge it over the season if not on Saturday. They are just that bit stronger and battle hardened than Arsenal. Ferdinand & Vidic is some centreback pairing - they certainly edge it over Toure and Gallas. Arsenal are playing superb football but the question remains can they keep it going when injuries hit, form dips and its a cold night away from the Emirates?

Torres For Henry Swap, Taylor on the move, Ajax & Bolton swoop?

The rumours get ever more fantastic to fill up column inches. Latest is that an Henry/ Torres swap maybe on. I doubt it! The Daily Express is reporting Torres as homesick and Henrys mixed start at the Nou Camp could lead to a sensational swap deal. Yeah right....

Elsewhere Newcastles Steven Taylor is the subject of many a rumour. Big Sams recent criticism and his below par form have led to talk of a move away. Liverpool were recently reported to be interested, with Arsenal also in the frame in some reports

Another interesting report is that of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Bolton’s Nicolas Anelka being linked to Manchester United. I've a feeling there could be something to this. If nothing else Man U need someone above 5ft 4" in their attack.

Rafa Seeking Reds Balance

Rafa Benitez goes into todays game under increasing pressure as the debates rage on over his rotation policy and steven gerrards position and recent substitution over Everton. He knows its vital that today he gets a good result and a confident performance, otherwise the clouds over anfield will become a full on storm.

So whats the team to be. Balance is something Benitez often talks of but at times lacks in his selections. Ryan Babel is patently not a left winger and is clearly destined for a role up front. Also Kuyt and Voronin have at times been asked to play right midfield. Given neither is blessed with much pace this seems strange at least. Other selections too have left the Anfield crowd and one suspects the players scratching their heads. What chance of prising open packed defences with a paceless and predictable attack of Kuyt, Voronin, Benayoun and Riise. Hardly a roaring foursome to rip teams to bits. Surely if you are going to rest Torres you have to play Babel and Pennant to give some pace and trickery to the attack.

A good balanced lineup today would be Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Arbeloa, Riise, Gerrard, Mascharano, Alonso, Babel, Torres and Crouch. Liverpool have sorely missed the balance Harry Kewell gives them on the left so his return to the bench today will be hugely welcome.

Kewell, Alonso, Arbeloa, Torres back and Agger soon to come. Surely Rafa can began to find some balance with this lot!!

Pennant Out For 10 Weeks

Jermaine Pennant is out for upto 10 weeks due to needing an operation for a stress fracture. That explains some of his ineffectual performances recently. Its another headache for Rafa at exactly the wrong time. Just as he gets his injured big guns coming back one of his more effective performers is out.

Time For Some Big Performances

Its a big big game on Sunday - win and the season seems a whole lot brighter, lose and the vultures of doom will circle in greater numbers, draw and well err the clouds remain. Hopefully Torres, Alonso and Arbeloa will be back with Agger not far off.

Given the strange selections of recent games what would be wrong with Ryan Babel in attack? He's very quick, strong and unpredictable. Everything Voronin and Kuyt arent in fact. Lets face it, could he make the attack any blunter than it is now? Lets hope Rafa is brave, decisive and recognises that a much stronger attack would be Babel and Torres than any of the recent pairings. Throw Gerrard and Pennant on the wings with Harry coming on from the bench and suddenly the team has a lot of pace in attack and looks a lot better balanced.

Hypia also clearly needs to be rested if Arbeloa is fit. Arbeloa is certainly faster and more mobile than Hypia which given what Arsenal will produce will be sorely needed.

Babel to play central?

Its a big big game on Sunday - win and the season seems a whole lot brighter, lose and the vultures of doom will circle in greater numbers, draw and well err the clouds remain. Hopefully Torres, Alonso and Arbeloa will be back with Agger not far off. Hypia clearly needs to be rested if Arbeloa is fit. Arbeloa is certainly faster and more mobile than Hypia which given what Arsenal will produce will be sorely needed.

Given the strange selections of recent games what would be wrong with Ryan Babel in attack? He's very quick, strong and unpredictable. Everything Voronin and Kuyt arent in fact. Lets face it, could he make the attack any blunter than it is now? Lets hope Rafa is brave, decisive and recognises that a much stronger attack would be Babel and Torres than any of the recent pairings. Throw Gerrard and Riise on the wings with Harry coming on from the bench and suddenly the team has a lot of pace in attack and looks a lot better balanced.

Come on Rafa - unleash hell!!

Kewell Comeback On?

Harry Kewell could be in the squad for the game against Arsenal on Sunday. He played 45 minutes for the reserves scoring and putting in a lively performance. He has been sorely missed on the left of the Reds midfield in the last 18 months as they've struggled with a succession of underperforming stand-ins

The Wheels coming off Rafa's Train?

After last nights lamentable display Rafa Benitez sounded like he's beginning to reach the time when everyone in the world except the manager can see whats wrong with the team. His continuing refrain of 'we were in control and had more shots than the opposition' sounds alarmingly like the last days of Gerard Houlliers reign. How many times did GH refer to stats to back up something no one else could see. Granted that this squad is packed with a lot more talent than that of 2003 and 2004 but Rafa just cant get the balance right. More worrying, he is adamant that he is sticking to his rotation policy but neglects to notice that only when he settled the side in 2005/06 did the results come (remember the midfield of Kewell, Alonso, Sissoko and Gerrard).

Looking at last nights and recent displays its obvious the attack is blunt without Torres. Play any of Kuyt, Voronin and Crouch together and you have no pace, little mobility and no unpredictability. Not many worried when Luis Garcia went but his quick fit and trickery would make some difference to the attack. Also if Torres is not playing why not play Pennant or Babel to at least give some pace and trickery. Babel will have to be put up front sooner rather than later (as soon as Kewell is fit) as he clearly is not suited out wide and is need to give us much needed pace up.

If Rafa doesn't act decisively, reshape his side and dump some of the under performers the wheels will be off the wagon big time. Lose to Arsenal and its a nine point gap by the end of October - this time last year the Reds were eleven points off the top.