Who will come out on top in the individual battles at Anfield this evening?
David Pleat
April 8, 2008 9:28 AM
Fernando Torres v William Gallas
No one can doubt the Frenchman's power, strength or, indeed, speed. In terms of using the ball, his job is to keep it simple and maintain the flow across the back four so that the full-backs can move forward into the middle third with comfortable possession.
Yet Torres' movements will test his concentration by looking to find space in between the two centre-backs. The Spaniard plays with much similarity to Ian Rush - sharp and quick to seize a chance - and is cunning at getting on the blind side of the defender when play is wide. Yet it is his willingness to forage a lonely furrow with such a poacher's instinct that make it essential that Gallas does not lose concentration for one second. He must do his defensive job first and foremost and try to keep detached from the emotion of the occasion.
No one can doubt the Frenchman's power, strength or, indeed, speed. In terms of using the ball, his job is to keep it simple and maintain the flow across the back four so that the full-backs can move forward into the middle third with comfortable possession.
Yet Torres' movements will test his concentration by looking to find space in between the two centre-backs. The Spaniard plays with much similarity to Ian Rush - sharp and quick to seize a chance - and is cunning at getting on the blind side of the defender when play is wide. Yet it is his willingness to forage a lonely furrow with such a poacher's instinct that make it essential that Gallas does not lose concentration for one second. He must do his defensive job first and foremost and try to keep detached from the emotion of the occasion.
Javier Mascherano v Cesc Fábregas
Fábregas, a clinical passer, has a football brain way beyond his years. He can wriggle, he can battle with the best and, most importantly, he makes clever little third-man runs which get him into goalscoring space behind opponents' defensive lines. He sets the tempo of Arsenal's play. In other positions, they have duplicates but there is only one Fábregas and they need him to be on song if they are to secure unlikely progress here.
Mascherano will pick him up when he breaks forward and attempt to stifle his possession. After winning the ball, the Argentinian will give it quickly, usually short, in the grand Liverpool manner. He will need to tackle early, fairly and compose himself after recent events at Old Trafford. If Fábregas gets too much time on the ball, Arsenal could edge this game. It will be the young South American ball winner who can influence which course this contest takes.
Fábregas, a clinical passer, has a football brain way beyond his years. He can wriggle, he can battle with the best and, most importantly, he makes clever little third-man runs which get him into goalscoring space behind opponents' defensive lines. He sets the tempo of Arsenal's play. In other positions, they have duplicates but there is only one Fábregas and they need him to be on song if they are to secure unlikely progress here.
Mascherano will pick him up when he breaks forward and attempt to stifle his possession. After winning the ball, the Argentinian will give it quickly, usually short, in the grand Liverpool manner. He will need to tackle early, fairly and compose himself after recent events at Old Trafford. If Fábregas gets too much time on the ball, Arsenal could edge this game. It will be the young South American ball winner who can influence which course this contest takes.
Martin Skrtel v Emmanuel Adebayor
It is obvious that Rafael Benítez sees a potential partnership of Jamie Carragher and the tough Skrtel in the centre. Yet Carragher could well play at right-back tonight, leaving his young and combative team-mate to hold the tall Togo striker. That will prove a difficult task. Adebayor has the touch of a master. His control is silky and he has a knack of cushioning aerial balls spectacularly on his thigh and instep.
The most important quality of the forward is his deceptive change of pace. In the air he is adequate, not lethal, and Skrtel will make sure he does not get free headers. In the first game, Adebayor wandered unmarked off the goalline to the six-yard spot to head the vital first goal. The hosts will not tolerate a repeat. The reality is that Adebayor might well be isolated as Liverpool push forward, but Skrtel's smooth transition will have to continue if his threat is to be totally nullified.
It is obvious that Rafael Benítez sees a potential partnership of Jamie Carragher and the tough Skrtel in the centre. Yet Carragher could well play at right-back tonight, leaving his young and combative team-mate to hold the tall Togo striker. That will prove a difficult task. Adebayor has the touch of a master. His control is silky and he has a knack of cushioning aerial balls spectacularly on his thigh and instep.
The most important quality of the forward is his deceptive change of pace. In the air he is adequate, not lethal, and Skrtel will make sure he does not get free headers. In the first game, Adebayor wandered unmarked off the goalline to the six-yard spot to head the vital first goal. The hosts will not tolerate a repeat. The reality is that Adebayor might well be isolated as Liverpool push forward, but Skrtel's smooth transition will have to continue if his threat is to be totally nullified.
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