The only reason the Champions League was started in the first place, was to give Europe’s elite a chance to play at Anfield. At least, that is my opinion.
This evening, the reigning Champions of Europe pay a visit to Anfield. Spanish newspapers, who do not have a history of being the most fair and balanced, have however been talking up the visit to Liverpool. Enrique Ortego wrote in the newspaper Marca, “Anfield is Anfield. History. Tradition. Feeling. Legend. It is not the biggest of stadiums; quite the opposite – it is small, soon to be made bigger. Neither has it hosted great football finals – precisely due to its small size and also because it is somewhat archaic.
What is has instead of walls and modernity is magic, history, lore, legend. It has football impregnated into its four walls. From the Spion Kop, to Anfield Road, from Main Stand to Centenary Stand."
Poetry!
Tonight, we need to make sure that those Real Madrid players who cannot read the This is Anfield sign have our fans to remind them where they. Every second - every whistle - and every kick should have our voices echoing of our football impregnated walls.
If we believe we are the favorites for this match, then we are deceiving ourselves. Reals’ team is made up of giants of the modern game. Ronaldo, who has now scored 20 goals in 13 appearances this season. A total of 271 goals in 258 club appearances for Real. They have the golden boy of Brazil 2014 in James Rodriguez. They have World Cup winner Tony Kroos. They have the talents of Isco, Benzema and Modric. Their team is formidable - let’s be honest. However, Ronaldo has never scored at Anfield in five previous visits. Perhaps a positive omen.
The truth is, if we hope to get a positive response, we need to play better than we have done this season. Better than any match we have played so far. Madrid did struggle to put away Ludogorets in their last away trip, scoring the winner in the last thirteen minutes of the match. And for all their talent going forward, defensively I believe they are still vulnerable. I agree with Carra’s views that we should drop Balotelli from the line-up, and start with Sterling in a false number nine role. His pace will certainly cause a leaky defense like Madrid’s a few problems. A more conservative strategy may be the way to go in this encounter. If we can take at least a point from this match, it would give Madrid extra incentive to take more points off of Basel.
I would like to see Moreno return to the starting eleven in place of Jose Enrique who was very poor against QPR. I would also like to see Lucas come in to offer midfield stability in place of Can. Coutinho came on against QPR and showed his brilliance. I would start him in place of Balotelli. The formation I would like to see is 4-1-2-3. Lucas playing in the deeper midfield role shielding Lovren and Skrtel. Gerrard and Henderson a little further forward, but with no license to roam. And up front, we can look at Lallana, Sterling and Coutinho to test the Real defense.
Come on you Reds!
And our competitors…
Our main threat to qualifying is Basel, who travel to Ludogorets. In their last eight home matches, Ludogorets have only lost to Real Madrid. Basel have not been too impressive on the road in all competitions, having lost four of eight on their travels. And remember, even the mighty Madrid needed a questionable penalty and an 88th minute goal to win in Bulgaria. I think the Bulgarians will get their first points of the Champions League in this match.
Follow Kurt on Twitter @kurtellis2
Kurt Ellis is a lifelong Liverpool fan living in South Africa. His first novel, By Any Means, was published by Human & Rousseau Publishers in May 2014. It is a gritty, coming of age crime thriller featuring a young Liverpool FC fan. The novel is available on Amazon. To purchase, you can follow the link below. http://amzn.to/Zj532F