Leicfox Posted 3 April 2007 Posted 3 April 2007 SOS Preview. Fixture congestion is a common complaint in England at this stage of the season, but PSV coach Ronald Koeman is worried that it is afflicting his team. PSV could only draw at Breda on Saturday (every other quarter-final team won at the weekend, bar AC Milan and Roma, who played each other and drew) and their lead at the top of the Eredivisie is now down to three points (from 11 points) with four games to play. Koeman says his squad is suffering from tiredness as well as injuries, with midfielder Ibrahim Afellay the latest victim with a hamstring injury picked up against Breda that makes him highly doubtful for this match. Striker Arouna Kone and defenders Alex and Michael Reiziger are definitely out. Liverpool arrive in good shape after Saturdays impressive 4-1 home win over Arsenal, who were knocked out of the Champions League by PSV in the last round on away goals. In contrast to Koemans predicament, Rafael 'The Rotator' Benitez was able to rest some players who had been on international duty, including Craig Bellamy, who could return here. Bellamy started the away match at PSV in the group phase, partnering Dirk Kuyt in preference to Saturdays hat-trick scorer Peter Crouch (who scored the opener in the 2-0 home match against PSV). Momo Sissoko is suspended but, despite his excellent display in the away leg at Barcelona in the last round, there is no hard evidence that he is a vital player. Liverpool have lost seven of the 18 Premiership and Champions League games he has started this season, but only three of the 24 games in which he has not started. * Liverpools win at Barcelona in the last round and PSVs injury-hit team may point to an away victory, but it is worth bearing in mind that away wins are a rarity at this level of competition just two from 40 quarter-final first legs in the past 10 seasons (23 home wins, 15 draws) * Liverpools Champions League away record (W6-D4-L4) has improved (particularly in terms of wins) under Rafael Benitez, but it does not follow that they are at their best against supposedly weaker opposition - Liverpool away under Benitez are W1-D1-L3 against teams from outside the big five leagues (there have been some mitigating circumstances, but still it is a worry). Nor are English teams particularly good in Champions League quarter-finals W2-D7-L7 in the past 10 seasons (W1-D3-L1 in first legs) * PSVs Champions League record is best assessed since 2004/05, when they stepped up to the knockout rounds for the first time. Their overall home record since then is W9-D3-L2 (W3-D1-L1 in knockout rounds and W3-D2-L0 against teams from England, Italy and Spain), so they will be difficult to beat. The draw looks a strong factor and is worth considering, but the difficulty of winning away makes PSV at 0, +0.5 on the Asian handicap (1.88) our preference * Under 2.5 goals (1.57) is strongly indcated by a host of factors and is our principal recommendation. Both PSV-Liverpool clashes in the group phase had under 2.5, along with 12/14 of PSVs home games since 2004/05 and 10/14 of Liverpools away games under Benitez. Under 1.5 goals is a possibility again, but not all of the evidence indicates there is value at 2.56 Good to Know * PSV are W3-D2-L1 at home to English teams (W1-D2-L0 since 2004/05) * In Champions League first legs in the past 10 seasons where a team from outside the big five leagues has hosted a big-five side, the home record is W8-D13-L2 * Under 2.5 goals has occurred in seven out of eight quarter-final first legs in the past 10 seasons where a team from outside the big five leagues has hosted a big-five side
Head Honcho Posted 3 April 2007 Posted 3 April 2007 Steven Gerrard.Makes things happen. .....................and Riise
Leicfox Posted 3 April 2007 Author Posted 3 April 2007 Liverpool are looking so good, Riise goal was trademark him, brilliant finish.
lookwhaticando Posted 3 April 2007 Posted 3 April 2007 Boring Boring Liverpool. Congrats the Reds Yellows.
Fez of Mahrez Posted 3 April 2007 Posted 3 April 2007 That match was more embarrassing for Arsenal than the one on Saturday lunchtime. PSV obviously missed Alex and Bakary Kone but still...
Spee-d Posted 3 April 2007 Posted 3 April 2007 Mascherano motm for me, brilliant performance. Finnan was great too. I thought that Aurelio fellar was solid but looked like he got a nasty injury. Liverpool look the business, you'd fancy them to get to the final.
lildave3 Posted 4 April 2007 Posted 4 April 2007 Mascherano motm for me, brilliant performance. Finnan was great too.I thought that Aurelio fellar was solid but looked like he got a nasty injury. Liverpool look the business, you'd fancy them to get to the final. Mascherano looks so settled at Liverpool, he was immense on saturday aswell. Finnan's crossing was great, deserved his 2 assists.
Wils Posted 4 April 2007 Posted 4 April 2007 Fantastic display from Liverpool,to go away in a competition like that and turn them over like they did is quality. No way back for the dutch now.
Brainy Posted 4 April 2007 Posted 4 April 2007 As soon as the ball left Riise's foot, I knew it was going in.
Manwell Pablo Posted 4 April 2007 Posted 4 April 2007 Mascherano looks so settled at Liverpool, he was immense on saturday aswell. Finnan's crossing was great, deserved his 2 assists. Quality player Mascherano I've said so for a long time, he could of been fantastic for West Ham had they managed him properly.
lcfc_jme Posted 4 April 2007 Posted 4 April 2007 Liverpool are pretty much through to the semi-finals of the Champions League again. You honestly can't see PSV clawing this one back and managing to beat Liverpool 4-0 at Anfield. I know stranger things have happened, but really, this will not. Liverpool - Valencia in the semis. Please.
Simi Posted 4 April 2007 Posted 4 April 2007 Can't see anyway in which Liverpool could throw this away. Fantastic performance.
Spee-d Posted 4 April 2007 Posted 4 April 2007 Liverpool - Valencia in the semis. Please. Deep down, we all want to see a Chelsea - Liverpool semi final
lcfc_jme Posted 4 April 2007 Posted 4 April 2007 Deep down, we all want to see a Chelsea - Liverpool semi final Speak for yourself. I hate Chelsea and really wouldn't mind seeing them knocked out of the tournament. It'd be great to see a United - Liverpool final though.
Ric Flair Posted 4 April 2007 Posted 4 April 2007 That match was more embarrassing for Arsenal than the one on Saturday lunchtime. PSV obviously missed Alex and Bakary Kone but still... Now they know how Ken feels. (Please see the thread 'Tonight' for anyone unsure on Ken's 'Kone' problem)
Spee-d Posted 4 April 2007 Posted 4 April 2007 Speak for yourself. I hate Chelsea and really wouldn't mind seeing them knocked out of the tournament. It'd be great to see a United - Liverpool final though. Would be better if Liverpool knocked them out though. A Liverpool Man Utd final would be awesome. Don't know how thousands of mancs and scousers would be able to travel to the same city together and stay in that city in each others company for a week.
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