Liverpool host Barcelona in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League last 16 on Tuesday with a 2-1 advantage over the European champions.
Goals from Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise in the first leg at the Camp Nou capped a stirring defensive showing after Portugal playmaker Deco had headed the Blaugrana into an early lead.
The Reds, champions in 2005, look set to stick with the same back four that largely kept Frank Rijkaard's team at bay in Barcelona. Alvaro Arbeloa will continue at left back and Steve Finnan on the right, with Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger in the middle.
Indeed, the only injury worries for Rafael Benitez' plans are long-term absentees Luis Garcia and Harry Kewell. England striker Peter Crouch is fit to play despite suffering a broken nose during the Premiership defeat to Manchester United on Saturday.
Craig Bellamy is likely to start up front as his pace was crucial to hitting Barca on the counter-attack in the first leg - and the Spanish champions have also displayed susceptibility against such tactics in recent defeats to Valencia and Sevilla in La Liga. Benitez will have to decide between the industry of Dirk Kuyt and the goal-scoring prowess of Crouch alongside him.
Deco and France defender Lilian Thuram return fresh for the visitors after being rested for the massive clash with Sevilla on Saturday. However Rijkaard has opted to drop Santiago Ezquerro, Juliano Belletti, Thiago Motta and - most surprisingly - Giovanni van Bronckhorst from his squad.
Motta came in for criticism for his role in the first leg defeat and seems to have paid the price. Brazilian Edmilson is in pole position to step into the holding role in midfield while two of Gianluca Zambrotta - sent off stupidly at the weekend - Thuram, Sylvinho and Oleguer Presas will occupy the full back slots in Belletti's absence.
Star striker Samuel Eto'o has demanded a place in the starting line-up after his recovery from a knee injury, yet will have to compete with Javier Saviola and Eidur Gudjohnsen. Ronaldinho, who began in Seville in Eto'o's accustomed place at the point of attack, will play on the left and Lionel Messi is likely to feature on the right side.
Anfield will prove an electric setting for the last two Champions League victors - and both seem confident that they will run out winners by the final whistle.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
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