Rafa’s Champions League magic is in full effect once more as Liverpool inflict defeat on an “unbeatable” Inter side at Anfield. Over in Athens, Grant rests some untouchables but still grinds his way to a handy 0-0. It’s looking good for the Premiership sides so far – but that’s not particularly good news for fantasy managers. Here’s my notes on last night’s events…
Liverpool 2 Inter Milan 0
Rafa brought back the big guns with Gerrard, Mascherano and Torres getting starts as expected. Aurellio also returned to the starting lineup at left-back while Lucas made up a three man central midfield in a 4-5-1 formation that saw Kuyt and Babel posted out wide in support of Torres. Riise, Alonso, Benayoun and Arbeloa were on the bench along with Pennant and Crouch who were used as second-half subs.
The all-important second leg falls on March 11. That’s just three days after the home game with Newcastle which seems likely to see Rafa rotate his troops in preparation. Just how severe that rotation will be is difficult to judge but my bet is that Carragher could be spared if Skrtel is available, while Torres and Gerrard are other obvious risks given the importance of the Inter game to follow.
Before the Newcastle game we should see Rafa flexing his muscles a little with his team selection. The big players should turn out in the Boro, Bolton and West Ham games that follow next. With confidence restored after this result, four home games in the next five Premiership fixtures and a double fixture gameweek in the FPL – Liverpool players should remain at the top of the shopping list in the medium term at least. Gerrard and Torres appear to be safe selections for the next three then given that Liverpool need to chase fourth spot. Reina offers the best assurance of clean sheets given that he is 95% certain of turning out over the next five. Carragher may only play three of the next five. He is suspended for the Boro game this weekend and Skrtel does offer Rafa an option. Elsewhere, Benayoun and Babel should start three of the next five games – not great but, given that four of the games are at Anfield, returns could still be worthwhile.
Olympiakos 0 Chelsea 0
A dour affair in Athens but a sound result for Grant’s men which should see them progress to the Quarters after the home leg. Grant took the risk of resting Lampard, Terry, Wright-Phillips and Anelka to the bench with Sunday’s Carling Cup Final in mind. Drogba’s return provided a worthy replacement for the latter, while Carvalho and Alex provided the centre back pairing. Malouda and Ballack were restored to midfield and Makelele also got a recall with Obi benched.
Olympiakos come to the Bridge on March 5, four days after the Premiership clash with West Ham. With the Carling and FA Cup ties to come, Chelsea have just one Premiership game while other clubs play three then. Even in that one game against the Hammers, you can expect Grant to rotate with the Champions League second leg in mind. This isn’t a good time to invest in Chelsea stock then, unless you’re playing a fantasy game which includes Cup matches.
This brief spell of Cup matches does at least give fantasy managers an opportunity to see how Grant will tweak his side with the Drogba/Anelka situation particularly interesting. Sunday’s Wembley Final should certainly offer clues to either the pecking order with these two or the formation that Grant will play to incorporate them both. Personally I can’t see how he can keep one of them benched long-term or rotate them and still get guaranteed returns from them.