UCL Last 16 : Barcelona Vs Liverpool

ghimpheng SG

BARCELONA VS LIVERPOOL Laughing

798 SG

every draws n opponents are difficult as now it is knock-out stage, maybe pool is able to upset barca.

jose should be worry not beaten by the former club he managed. :-3

a-Lost-9uY SG

i tok he only cares for CFC??

CoolMyth SG

A word from Rafa:

RAFA: WE HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is already licking his lips in anticipation of facing Barcelona in the last sixteen of the Champions League early next year.
Benitez admits today's draw in Nyon could have been kinder to his side, but he is confident his players will be fully prepared to face the defending champions when the games come around.

He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "We know they are a good team. At the moment they are playing in Japan in the World Club Championships and everybody is saying really good things about them.

"They won the Champions League last season and so it is a difficult draw for us but we have two months to prepare for these games and we have nothing to lose.

"Everybody says Barcelona are one of the best sides in the world so we have to upset the situation. We have to be mentally ready to play against very good players.

"It is too soon to start talking about individual battles. We are looking forward to the games and we will play them with confidence.

"I have experience of playing at the Nou Camp with Valencia and we did quite well there. Hopefully we'll do well again."

Liverpool will travel to Spain for the first leg before welcoming Barcelona to Merseyside two weeks later and Benitez believes playing the second leg at a packed Anfield could work to his side's advantage.

"The main thing for us is we know we'll play the second game at Anfield. This could be an important factor for us," he added.

"It's an amazing atmosphere in our stadium when we play in Europe, and we know how good our fans are at putting pressure on other teams.

"But I know it will be the first game which can make things possible for us. Last season we paid because we lost a late goal in Benfica and that cost us in the second leg."

Liverpoolfc.tv.

ghimpheng SG

nah this is a big draw for liverpool

i am ready to see how Strong liverpool are @ the european stages

i really hope liverpool can show me something special

Xtrider SG

BARCA FTW!!!!

hehe...friendly rivalry eh?

crossover SG

impossible is nothing.

Medicated Oil SG

As long as Ah Ben dun tinker and get his team to perform, Liverpool should be able to perform and beat Barcelona.

Liverpool already have a team of champion, just that they have to start being believe and start fighting like champion.

My dream draw would be for Liverpool to meet Lyon.

It will be interesting to see Ah Hou squaring off with Ah Ben.

Shadow_R SG

When we won the Champions League two seasons ago, we beat Juventus, Chelsea and AC Milan. AC Milan being the defending champions that year. All Liverpool fans proudly say this to highlight that we deserved to be champions of Europe with these victories against big teams.

Last season we were defending champions. We were full of confidence with the easiest draw again Benfica, were favoured to progress to the next round, but got knocked out instead.

The whole idea of the Champions League is to play against the big teams of Europe so I am happy with the draw. It doesn't get any bigger than this. If Liverpool were to win the Champions League again, I would rather see them beating the big teams along the way. If we were to get knocked out, I would also rather we lose to Barca than Benfica! So this is game on for me... Cool

SBS9828X SG

Addidas can advertise this man if pool is going to win Laughing

a-Lost-9uY SG

if 1st leg at Nou camp n Pool can hold a draw,
den 2nd leg at Anfield shld be able to kill e game off..
Pool is a cup team n they shld do well in it.. Very Happy

ghimpheng SG

Benitez convinced Liverpool have edge on Barcelona
tribalfooball.com - December 15, 2006

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is full of confidence after drawing Barcelona in their Champions League tie yesterday.

Benitez insists his 2005 heroes have nothing to fear when they walk out in the Nou Camp for the first leg.

Benitez was Valencia chief when they smashed the Barca-Real Madrid dominance. They lifted two titles and won twice in Barcelona in three games.

Benitez warned: "Over the last six or eight years Valencia have a good record against them, especially in the Nou Camp.

"The scores have usually gone in Valencia's favour and they were something of a bogey team for them. They have certainly caused Barcelona a lot of problems.

"We know how good their players are but we certainly won't go there with any fear. As a manager I love playing these kind of games."

Liverpool are the ONLY English side to win at the Nou Camp when John Toshack hit the only goal in 1976.

Benitez is pleased the second leg is at Anfield. He added: "I think that could be a real advantage."

crossover SG

i also hope addidas come find me endorse. haha
i had this vision tt they would meet barca and it really happened.
my friends scold me cb mouth. Sad
but really, once a reds always a reds.
impossible is nothing with LFC Smile

Patrik SG

Very Happy
Interesting match up.

ghimpheng SG

Messi: Barcelona have Liverpool running scared
tribalfooball.com - December 20, 2006

Barcelona have Liverpool running scared ahead of their Champions League meeting, insists Argie dazzler Leo Messi.

"Any rivals are dangerous in Europe at this time but Liverpool are a team that can be beaten by Barcelona. Lyon are the most difficult today," said Messi. "I expect an open game because the English play without defensive caution and with a style similar to Barcelona.

"Sincerely, I believe Liverpool are worried about playing against us because we are the champions of Europe and that strikes fear in any rivals.

"I desire to travel to Liverpool with much work done and holding an advantage to qualify for the next round.

"A 2-0 or 3-0 score will be perfect for Barca.

"Always, we need to not concede a goal in Camp Nou to avoid problems at Anfield."

The Argentinean admits having a Spanish contingent could work in Liverpool's favour.

He said: "The Reds are a peculiar team. They play in England but the style of the coach and many of the players is nearly Spanish. This will be an extra problem for Barcelona."

ghimpheng SG

Barcelona docs expect Eto'o back for January
By Joseph De Lacey - December 28, 2006

Samuel Eto'o has been told he should be ready to return to training by January 15th.

Barcelona doctor Ramon Cugat says the striker is making "excellent progress" in his rehabilitation from knee ligament surgery.

Cugat, however, stressed that Eto'o, 25, must not be rushed back into action too early, as the results of his rehabilitation will only be clear once he returns to training.

The Cameroon international tore the meniscus in his right knee during Barcelona's UEFA Champions League 1-1 draw at Werder Bremen in September.

He had been expected to be out for 5 months but has made excellent progress since surgery and now has every chance of returning for the UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool on 21st February and 6th March.

Messi is also expeted to be back for the liverpool clash

anhydrouscoppersulphate SG

it will be an eye opener. i will be happy no matter who wins Razz . the last time liver met barca i think was in group stage where the group consists of roma barca and pool. group of death. pool qualified in the end killing roma 2-0

798 SG

it will be an exciting match to watch wif so many good players.

somehow i feel garcia or crouch might surprise many in tis match.

Xtrider SG

i hope barca win…haha…but liverpool is not an easy opponent though abit inconsistent nowadays…

Poolman SG

See , being winner in the group stage mean we have the "play away then home " advantage .....

So after so many seasons of seeing how Liverpool do their business in the UCL , i'm not surprise to see Liverpool go into Nou Camp with a 100% defensive mindset for this match ....

Benitez first philosophy : keep a clean sheet !

And if possible , score an away goal .... with an away goal , a draw is still a good result .

But personally .... i hope Benitez and lads know that , Ronaldinho is Barca's most dangerous player , he's not so dangerous when moving around , but very dangerous with his free-kicks , so hope LFC can really buck up their defensive wall against Ronadinho's dead ball .

Other than that , we should be very comfortable at Nou Camp .

Deny Barca a win at Nou Camp , and start our usual business at Anfield !!!