Current form, tactics, Liverpudlians to watch. Find out all you need to know about Rafael Benitez’s side ahead of Liverpool-OM…
Current form
The “Reds” are back. After three consecutive draws (0-0 v Portsmouth and Birmingham City in the Premier League, and 1-1 v Porto in the Champions League), Liverpool are back with two wins in a row. The first: 4-2 v Reading in the Carling Cup on Tuesday. The second: 1-0 v Wigan in the championship on Saturday. Rafa Benitez’s side are undefeated so far this season (3 draws and 4 League wins, 1 draw in the Champions League, and qualified for the next round of the Carling Cup).
Tactics
Unchanged since the start of the season, Rafael Benitez remains faithful to his 4-4-2 formation. But the basic formation mutatesto adapt to the players chosen. It is the players that determine how Liverpool play.
Against Marseille, Benitez is without his defender Agger and midfielders Xabi Alonso and Pennant. The first two are injured, Pennant is suspended after being sent off against Porto.
Reina should be in goal for the Reds. In defence Carragher is first choice and should find Hyypia alongside him on Wednesday. Finnan and Arbeloa are the full-backs. Gerrard will be the key in the midfield with Sissoko or Mascherano the ball winner. Babel and Voronin should be the wide men, but Benitez may elect to start Israel international Benayoun. In attack, the Spanish tactician is spoilt for choice, but he will surely start with Kuyt and Fernando Torres.
Players to watch
Fernando Torres: El Nino is getting better and better at his new club. Last Tuesday he scored a hat-trick against Reading in the Carling Cup. A summer signing from Atletico Madrid, Torres is a deadly striker and very good in the air. His skill and pace mean he is a real match winner.
Steven Gerrard: The Red Baron. When Gerrard is on song, Liverpool are on song. His powerful shot spells trouble for OM. At any moment his vision and long passes could prove treacherous for OM ‘keeper Mandanda. His performance will determine the result ( Steven Gerrard portrait)
Also: Sissoko, Babel, Voronin, Crouch, Kuyt, already three goals in the UEFA Champions League this season.
Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League
Five times European champions (1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005), Liverpool are officially a European giant.
