Premier League - Team news: Liverpool crisis

Eurosport - Sun, 16 Aug 15:31:00 2009

Team news ahead Liverpool's Premier League opener at Tottenham, with both sides struggling at the back.

Jamie Carragher, Liverpool - 0

Tottenham v Liverpool (Sunday, 16:00)

Spurs skipper Ledley King is a doubt while fellow defenders Jonathan Woodgate (groin) and Michael Dawson (Achilles) are definitely out. That means Sebastien Bassong will make his debut after moving from Newcastle. Milan target Gareth Bale is out with a knee injury so Benoit Assou-Ekotto will continue at left-back, while Jermaine Jenas is a doubt with a calf problem - Tom Huddlestone is on standby. Peter Crouch is set to make his debut after moving from Portsmouth and will start up front alongside either England goal-hero Jermain Defoe or Robbie Keane.

Liverpool have a few injury problems ahead of their season opener, not least in defence where they will be forced to rush back one or both of Jamie Carragher (ankle) and Martin Skrtel (hamstring) to avoid being forced to play teenagers at centre-half. Dan Agger (back) is out, Philipp Degen is not fit and Sami Hyypia was sold to Leverkusen. Captain Steven Gerrard is coming back from a groin strain and may not be risked, with Lucas ready to slot into central midfield. Left-back Fabio Aurelio has a knee injury but Emiliano Insua has proved himself a more than able deputy. Glen Johnson is set for his competitive debut, although £20m signing Alberto Aquilani is out for at least two more months after an ankle op. Albert Riera has a foot injury so Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun could both start.

Eurosport

Comment 108 - 127 of 127

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  1. Spurs were better on the day but I really wanted­ Liverpool to win. Liverpool spend too much time passing­ the ball backwards. It causes too many problems, just­ go forward. Shoot, shoot shoot even if you lose the­ fans will love you for trying. It's not rocket­ science.

    From jackie.castles, on Sun 16 Aug 9:55PM

  2. how the hell is this a bloody crisis!!! its only one­ game for gods sake. liverpool lost two last season.­ once against us (boro) and one against TOTTENHAM) so­ even if they do win all their games from now on­ they've got more chance of winnin the title than­ last season!

    From smiley123, on Sun 16 Aug 8:52PM

  3. time to show them yanks the door exit out dic in

    From Danny J, on Sun 16 Aug 7:56PM
  4. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Torres is a disgrace ,so is that slimy gerrard,dirty­ cheating scouse scum

    From Bob B, on Sun 16 Aug 6:22PM

  5. come on you spurs you can beat liverpool again at home­ no prob.

    From c_wingrove, on Sun 16 Aug 3:50PM

  6. love the line defoe england goal hero!!! he scores­ twice in a meaningless and pointless friendly and­ he's a hero!!! great journalism my cat could do­ better!!! cmon the pool!!!!!!

    From gus h, on Sun 16 Aug 3:22PM

  7. mar.bennett,
    Scunthorpe United and Luton Town have­ been to Wembley does that make them ' Big Clubs­ '?
    haha YOu manure fans do make me laugh with­ your complete ignorance.

    From YNWA, on Sun 16 Aug 12:54PM

  8. stupid headline, the usual media 'liverpool about­ to fall apart bullsh-it', can see a draw for pool­ today

    From paul, on Sun 16 Aug 12:49PM

  9. @#$% on UNITED

    From rigbymynumber1baby, on Sun 16 Aug 12:46PM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Come on Man U. I need fantasy football points! :P

    From the_rogue_unknown, on Sun 16 Aug 12:43PM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    liver poo never been to new wembley call yoursel a big­ club don t make me laugh

    From mar.bennett, on Sun 16 Aug 12:43PM

  12. Nothing new in this article that wasnt already said in­ fridays version. And is wes brown fit or not. And why­ is there no expected formations any more with­ eurosport. Eurosport last season was great, 1 day­ completed of the new season and im already­ disapointed(sp).

    From Ciaran, on Sun 16 Aug 12:40PM

  13. Going to be a battle royale, COYS !!!

    From ispurs, on Sun 16 Aug 12:28PM

  14. come on reds, go kick some @#$%!

    From jdeppp, on Sun 16 Aug 12:02PM
  15. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    liverpool-10 spurs-1

    From embat_lala, on Sun 16 Aug 12:02PM

  16. i hope liverpool win do not care about the score,i take­ 1-0 to liverpool

    From beni197411, on Sun 16 Aug 12:01PM
  17. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    spurs 3 liverpool 1,

    From handyandyisalways, on Sun 16 Aug 11:33AM
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    forget it mugs, liverpool wont know whats hit em today.­ 3-1 to spurs and yes crouch and keane will score.

    From bazspur5, on Sun 16 Aug 11:30AM
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    It's going to be a hard time for man united and­ liverpool especially because livpool will not find it­ easy agains spur.

    From adewalata2000, on Sun 16 Aug 11:22AM

  20. Hahahahaha! Manpoo crisis more like. Keep chipping­ away, yahoo employee tosspots!

    From alanbstard9, on Sun 16 Aug 11:15AM
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