Torres is back! Liverpool’s number nine starts, as does another doubt before the game, Alvaro Arbeloa, meaning Mascherano doesn’t have to play right back.
How much of a risk it is to start with both players is something we’ll know after the game, but the scorer of Liverpool’s away goal, Yossi Benayoun, wasn’t able to take part.
The other full-back tonight is Fabio Aurelio, with Skrtel and Carragher as centre backs.
In midfield we see Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano both playing in their best positions, with Steven Gerrard playing the advanced role he’s become so good at. Dirk Kuyt goes back to his more customary position on the right, with Ryan Babel starting on the left.
Jerzy Dudek returns to Anfield, sitting on the bench as deputy to Casillas. One-time Liverpool target Gabriel Heinze starts, as does Arjen Robben, a player who was always a threat for Chelsea against Liverpool. Sometimes it was for footballing reasons.
Liverpool: 25 Reina, 17 Arbeloa, 37 Skrtel, 23 Carragher, 12 Aurelio, 14 Alonso, 20 Mascherano, 18 Kuyt, 8 Gerrard, 19 Babel, 9 Torres
Substitutes: 1 Cavalieri, 2 Dossena, 4 Hyypia, 21 Lucas, 24 Ngog, 26 Spearing, 34 Kelly
Real Madrid: 1 Casillas, 4 Sergio Ramos, 5 Cannavaro, 3 Pepe, 16 Heinze, 11 Robben, 6 Diarra, 8 Gago, 10 Sneijder, 7 Raul, 20 Higuain
Substitutes: 25 Dudek, 9 Saviola, 12 Marcelo, 14 Guti, 21 Metzelder, 22 Miguel Torres, 23 Van der Vaart
Referee: Frank De Bleeckere
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Well, I have to say, I’m disappointed not to be at the game tonoight.
Fingers-crossed for a victory tonight, or at least overall. But i have to say when I look at our bench it tells us how our squad is still a little thin on the ground! Let’s hope Ngog, Spearing, Kelly and even Lucas can make that difference if needed.
what a performance and what a result! Liverpool destroyed them! Viva la rafalution!
WHAT A GAME……Anfield rocked tonight and ut sent shivers down my spine before kick off.
Immensely proud of the team tonight and I was breathless by our attackking tonight.
Casillas was man of the match and that says it all. Torres and Gerrard’s interplay at times was precise, mesmerising and so, so good to watch.
Real’s President must be choking on his words tonight.
If we can play half as well against United anything is possible.
Wow….that game and atmosphere will be in my memory for years to come!
Cantos you still around?????
@ Malta, im still here pal.
Cracking performance last night. Think Rafa picked the perfect team and played the perfect formation. No complaints from me.
Why cant we play like that against the likes of stoke and boro….it baffles me.
Bring on the scum.
Come on Inter, do us proud!!!!
In My opinion Mach was the monster we all know about he was revved up for good when ever real tied to attack he was everywhere to hares them.
Let’s just hope this was the sign that he is starting to pick up his form again
Do you agree guys?
If you want to know why we’re trailing Man U look no further than the injuries to Torres and Gerrard. Perhaps we’re too reliant on 2 players but it was great to have them both back. Torres did some amazing things considering he’d had to have an injection in his foot priot to the game. Liverpool’s best signing ever ??
Could be.
Those eleven guys played like a team last night for the first time in a while. Monster, Nando and Stevie were immense, but so were Aurelio, Skertl and Xabi. Fantastic showing all around, and a performance for every player and fan to be proud of.
For obvious reasons, I’m hoping Inter win today, but the result of tonight’s match will certainly impact on Saturday’s game against Manure. If the Mancs are out of the CL by Saturday, their battle against the Reds’ momentum and confidence will make for an even scrappier 90 minutes. Bring it on, ’cause after showing what they are made of against Real, Liverpool could be unbeatable until that final whistle blows on May 27th in Rome!
well my heart would love to see manur out tonight but if they are out then there will be nothing to stop them to win the PL, they will be resting during the week and arsenal (maybe) us and Chelsea will be working there socks of in the CL,
Ideal senario tonight is that they end up with extra time like that we will be much frasher and Fargie will have some thing to moan about if we beat them haha
anyone seen how riise is playing this year and what a great game he had against arsenal. were was he last year
What a great result. Made even better by the performance.
Jim – when you get a moment – tell the world about the last two games. 8 goals in two against Real Madrid and Man United, what does that tell you about the defensive Rafa?
Cantos – let’s be having you! Dossena and Lucas were worth there squad place todat, right?!