CARLING CUP 4TH ROUND: BIG BOYS PREPARE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP CHALLENGE Liverpool v Cardiff CityJONES TIPS FOWLER TO HIT KOP ON HIS RETURN
David Maddock 31/10/2007 (The Mirror)
David Maddock 31/10/2007 (The Mirror)
Even Rafa Benitez is hoping Robbie Fowler, the striker who scored 183 goals for Liverpool, manages another on his return to Anfield... just as long as it's a consolation.
Fowler's presence in the Cardiff front line offers a sentimental edge to tonight's Carling Cup proceedings as the Bluebirds seek a major upset.
"Maybe we can leave him to score a fantastic goal in front of the Kop - but at the end of the game we will need to have scored three," said Benitez.
"The way Robbie played for us, with the injuries he had and at the age he is, was fantastic. He was always joking but very respectful and professional. He showed us his quality, a strong mentality and his commitment was very good. The other players learnt a lot from his passing and movement, and I hope he gets a fabulous welcome."
Cardiff boss Dave Jones is banking on the 32-year-old former Kop idol conjuring up some more Anfield magic.
He said: "Playing football is Robbie's job and personal things don't get in the way.
"When you get emotional your mind becomes clouded, but that won't happen to him.
"Robbie wants to get on and do his job. It will be a special occasion, he will have family and friends there, but he plays for us now and any Liverpool attachment ends once he steps off that team bus."
While Fowler's return may grab the attention, Benitez has more than enough on his plate with the Reds' home form. The Spanish coach is painfully aware that Liverpool have under-performed badly on their home turf this season.
A meagre return of two wins from seven matches at Anfield - against Toulouse and whipping boys Derby - is nowhere near good enough for a side with genuine pretensions towards honours. Benitez will field as strong a side as his injury problems permit with the bulk made up from his first-team squad, even for a competition in which he has often employed young reserves in the past.
Possibly only centre half Jack Hobbs from the second string will be pressed into service tonight, allowing Sami Hyypia a much-needed rest after starting the last six matches. It is an indication of how important this game has become for a side that have won six of their nine away games this season - making their inability to perform in front of their own fans all the more puzzling.
Jamie Carragher admitted: "It's very strange that we don't seem to be doing that well at Anfield this season.
"It hasn't been as good as we know it should be, and that is incredibly frustrating.
"Every year I have been here, it's been a case of thinking you have one area of the team sorted - and then having to improve something else.
"Our away form was poor last year but now we are the best in the league away from home, yet all of a sudden the home form hasn't been as good as we would have liked."
There is no obvious explanation for such a dramatic reversal other than, perhaps, Liverpool's continuing inability to break down teams intent only on defending against them.
"It's frustrating," said Carragher. "Us and Arsenal are the only unbeaten teams, but we've had too many draws.
"Yet if we'd beaten Spurs and drawn at Everton, people would say they were good results. Away form has been excellent, but we have to step it up at Anfield."
Fowler's presence in the Cardiff front line offers a sentimental edge to tonight's Carling Cup proceedings as the Bluebirds seek a major upset.
"Maybe we can leave him to score a fantastic goal in front of the Kop - but at the end of the game we will need to have scored three," said Benitez.
"The way Robbie played for us, with the injuries he had and at the age he is, was fantastic. He was always joking but very respectful and professional. He showed us his quality, a strong mentality and his commitment was very good. The other players learnt a lot from his passing and movement, and I hope he gets a fabulous welcome."
Cardiff boss Dave Jones is banking on the 32-year-old former Kop idol conjuring up some more Anfield magic.
He said: "Playing football is Robbie's job and personal things don't get in the way.
"When you get emotional your mind becomes clouded, but that won't happen to him.
"Robbie wants to get on and do his job. It will be a special occasion, he will have family and friends there, but he plays for us now and any Liverpool attachment ends once he steps off that team bus."
While Fowler's return may grab the attention, Benitez has more than enough on his plate with the Reds' home form. The Spanish coach is painfully aware that Liverpool have under-performed badly on their home turf this season.
A meagre return of two wins from seven matches at Anfield - against Toulouse and whipping boys Derby - is nowhere near good enough for a side with genuine pretensions towards honours. Benitez will field as strong a side as his injury problems permit with the bulk made up from his first-team squad, even for a competition in which he has often employed young reserves in the past.
Possibly only centre half Jack Hobbs from the second string will be pressed into service tonight, allowing Sami Hyypia a much-needed rest after starting the last six matches. It is an indication of how important this game has become for a side that have won six of their nine away games this season - making their inability to perform in front of their own fans all the more puzzling.
Jamie Carragher admitted: "It's very strange that we don't seem to be doing that well at Anfield this season.
"It hasn't been as good as we know it should be, and that is incredibly frustrating.
"Every year I have been here, it's been a case of thinking you have one area of the team sorted - and then having to improve something else.
"Our away form was poor last year but now we are the best in the league away from home, yet all of a sudden the home form hasn't been as good as we would have liked."
There is no obvious explanation for such a dramatic reversal other than, perhaps, Liverpool's continuing inability to break down teams intent only on defending against them.
"It's frustrating," said Carragher. "Us and Arsenal are the only unbeaten teams, but we've had too many draws.
"Yet if we'd beaten Spurs and drawn at Everton, people would say they were good results. Away form has been excellent, but we have to step it up at Anfield."
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