Liverpool 8-0 Besiktas (06.11.07)

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Liverpool are well aware that anything less than three points against Besiktas at Anfield on Tuesday could bring to an end this season's UEFA Champions League quest.

The Reds, who lifted Europe's top club prize in 2005, have yet to record a win in this season's competition following a draw with Porto and shock defeats at home to Marseille and away to Besiktas.

Liverpool's hopes are, therefore, hanging by a thread and a win is essential in their fourth game in Group A if they are to stand any chance of adding to their record of two Champions League final appearances in the past three seasons.

However, Besiktas are in a confident frame of mind and are looking to repeat their success in Istanbul a fortnight ago when they defeated Liverpool 2-1.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has called for 'passion and cool heads' ahead of the meeting, but he is leaving it late before he makes an announcement on the fitness of Fernando Torres.

Upset

The Spanish striker missed Liverpool's goalless Premier League draw with Blackburn on Saturday after tearing an adductor muscle against Arsenal the previous week.

Torres, though, has been named in the Reds squad and it will be left until late before his match fitness is confirmed.

Benitez is definitely without midfielder Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger as the pair continue their comebacks from dreaded metatarsal injuries.

Besiktas have been rocked by the recent injury of defender Gokhan Zan, who has been ruled out for a month after damaging ligaments in his foot.

The Turkish side are also without Rodrigo Tello (ankle) and Marcio Nobre, who is struggling with a hamstring problem as they seek a major upset.

Source: Skysports

[NJ10]

Must win game. We have to come out of the traps quickly here, because the longer we stay at 0-0, the harder it will be for us. We have to have a high tempo and a good attitude. Id be amazed if Crouch doesnt start today, people will laugh but he is the man we need atm. Kuyt and Voronin dont worry anyone when they play, Crouch creates chances for us and can finish them as well.

Kewell may well get a run out, i dont think he will start, but if he can carry on his comeback with a half hour stint then all the better. Hopefully Babel can produce some form, cos if we could get him firing he would add a new dimension to our play.

I hate predicting Rafas teams, but if i was to go for it i'd say

---------------Pepe----------------

Stevie F--Sami--Carra-----Arbeloa

Yossi----Masch---Stevie G---Babel

-----------Dirk------Crouch-----------

and im gonna be bold and say we will win 3-0 (Crouch, Babel, Gerrard)

[Mighty T.A.L.]

I would prefer Riise instead of Arbeloa. Liverpool will have Kewell and Torres on the bench who both are able to change the game if the game will be difficult. Good to have Kewell back. With him fit, I'm more optimistic.

[NJ10]

I dont know whether Riise picked up an injury at Blackburn...he was definitely limping towards the end of the game. I dont mind Arbeloa, he can defend better than Riise.

Right about Kewell, and hopefully his return- and the competition it brings- might push Babel into stepping his game up.

Hopefully we will get a good solid first half, maybe a goal or two up, and Torres wont be needed to drag us home.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Liverpool Team:
Reina; Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypiä, Aurelio; Benayoun, Mascherano, Gerrard, Riise; Crouch, Voronin

Subs:
Martin, Finnan, Lucas, Kewell, Babel, Kuyt, Torres

[lionel]

16' still 0-0.

the match is very decent, liverpool are dominating and playing great football.
benayoun did 2 great actions and almost finished arbeloa/aurelio's cross with a goal.

GOAAL!! Crouch!
18': Liverpool 1 - 0 Besiktas

[lionel]

Woooohoooo! Yossi Benayoun!!

32': Liverpool 2 - 0 Besiktas

a great finish of yossi! a historic moment, not for yossii only but for the whole country!!

[lionel]

HT: Liverpool 2 - 0 Besiktas
[18' Crouch]
[32' Benayoun]

benayoun and crouch were the best so far.

benayoun's goal was the goal number 500 liverpool score in a european league!

[Robinho4Ever]

Wow a very nice goal from Benayoun . . . I believe that Liverpool will make it to the 1/8 finals . . !!

[Podolski]

I only saw highlights of the goals but in both voronin looked very good and working hard

[lionel]

now this is great!!

BENAYOUN again

53': Liverpool 3 - 0 Besiktas

liverpool at its best. poor besiktas.

[lionel]

HAHAHA!!

BENAYOUN!!

WOW!! the first hat-trick in his life

56': Liverpool 4 - 0 Besiktas

[Robinho4Ever]

Benayoun !! I didn't expect that from him !! . .

[lionel]

a brilliant goal! Gerrard!!

69': Liverpool 5 - 0 Besiktas

voronin was involved in 4 of the 5 goals! a great match of his.

[Doc-Bhoy]

lol 5-0???? WTF didnt expect that one.