PSV Eindhoven v Liverpool: PreviewPA
Rafael Benitez has warned his Liverpool stars not to be fooled into
believing Champions League rivals PSV Eindhoven are in
disarray.
PSV have injury and form problems and saw their lead at the top of
the Dutch league cut to just two points after Ajax's win at home to
Heracles on Sunday.
But with the pressure mounting on PSV boss Ronald Koeman, Liverpool
boss Benitez refuses to be sidetracked from his task of plotting
the Anfield club's passage into the semi-finals.
Benitez said: ``Don't let anyone be fooled into thinking that PSV
will not fight with everything they have got to get into the last
four.
``We will not underestimate them. They beat Arsenal in the last
round and they are top of their league.
``Whatever their supposed problems are with form or injuries, they
will fight for this with everything they possess, have no fears
about that.
``They will know how important the Champions League is and they
will fight for everything, fight to win with all they have.
``They have some defensive problems, but you never know whether
that can help you. Alex is an important player for them and they
have some problems with (Ivory Coast striker Arouna) Kone too, but
sometimes you can bring in players who do not usually play in the
first team, and they do better than those they have replaced. That
is also a danger.''
Key defender Alex is out with a hamstring problem despite attempts
back in Brazil to produce a miracle cure. The experienced Michael
Reiziger is sidelined for the rest of the season with a groin
injury.
But defender Carlos Salcido was back against Breda, despite
complaints from Mexico that PSV were not treating a mystery injury
properly. But he was fit enough to complete the full match at the
weekend.
PSV also had Brazilian goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes back from injury
in that match.
Benitez said: ``We have had them watched recently, and we saw them
when they lost 5-1 at home to Ajax recently. A shock. But they
tried to play three men at the back, and they conceded goals.
``But normally they have great balance and do not concede many
goals, and they score plenty. They will be trying to get back to
that level of performance.
``They also have problems with their goalkeeper, but with strong
defenders in front of whoever plays there, we know they will still
be very difficult to beat.''
He added: ``PSV had people at Anfield to watch us, and they will
have seen us score four against Arsenal, who they beat in the last
Champions League round.
``But I do not think that will make much difference to their
thinking. They know already that we are a good side and a dangerous
team.
``And they will also know that they have to play very well at home
and score goals because they know that when they come to Anfield it
will be a difficult game for them.''
Benitez must decide whether to stick with the system and personnel
responsible for the 4-1 win over Arsenal at the weekend, a team the
Spaniard considers plays in a similar style to PSV.
The use of Peter Crouch up front and Steven Gerrard in a free
central role behind the big striker could have been a preview for
how Liverpool will play in Eindhoven.
Benitez will certainly have his big guns available again. He rested
Steve Finnan and Sami Hyypia at the weekend and will have Craig
Bellamy back from injury.
Crouch accepts that he must wait to see whether his goal-scoring
spree will ensure him a place in the starting line-up.
But he reckons PSV will be worried: ``We have produced a big win
against a class side like Arsenal, and that will worry Eindhoven.
And if we get a few players back fit then we have a good chance of
winning there.
``We all have confidence. It will be a big, big game and we must
produce a top performance.''
