Will Liverpool’s Gamble Pay Off?
Even though he has been criticised in the past for changing his team on a regular basis, Rafa Benitez can afford himself a wry smile today even if the turmoil in the Liverpool board room continues. The very public fallout been the two American owners has put the club on something of a downer of late although on the pitch they seem to be holding up very well.
Benitez decided to field a severely weakened team for Saturday’s away match at relegation threatened Fulham although he came away with the win. This seems to have justified his decision, as we approach Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Premiership rivals Chelsea. While this is not the first time that Benitez has fielded a weakened team prior to a “big game”, the fact that Fulham are fighting for their very survival concerned many.
Tuesday’s thriller against Chelsea is a game which many experts and fans have been waiting for since the draw was made. These are two clubs which have great attacking ambitions although it is Liverpool who seem to have a stronger affinity with the Champions League having won the cup recently. However, as Chelsea see the Premiership title moving ever closer towards Manchester United, this is very much the last realistic chance of silverware this year for both teams.
Liverpool and Chelsea should be back to full strength on Tuesday with Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard both expected to return after recent layoffs. These two are the best of friends off the pitch and on England duty, but come Tuesday there will be no inch given by any of them as they go head on, with the winner over the two legs moving into the Champions League Final.
Liverpool’s flare and style must see them as slender favourites, but this battle of the titans is set to catch the eye of the footballing community all around the world!
