Early Doors - Your morning briefing blog

A 'must-win' game that Liverpool must win

Tue Nov 24 08:49AM

Rarely has the phrase 'must-win game' been so overused at such an early stage of the season as it has with Liverpool this term.

The Chelsea game was a 'must-win' following the defeat at Fiorentina, the Sunderland game was 'must-win' in order to recover from that loss at Stamford Bridge and the Lyon game was a 'must-win' as they looked to recover from defeat to a beach ball.

But now, finally, we do actually arrive at such a match for Liverpool.

Well, from their point of view, it's also a must-win game for Lyon.

Liverpool need to beat Debrecen this evening to stay in the Champions League, but if Fiorentina beat Lyon then it reduces the Group E match in Hungary to little more than a Europa League play-off.

The way Anfield Scouse-in-chief Jamie Carragher is talking, though, you'd think that was a good thing.

Carragher, who already had an air of resignation about him following the 1-1 draw with Lyon that put Liverpool five points off the pace, reckons that dropping into Europe's second competition would not be a disaster.

He said: "I think because we have done well in recent seasons other people outside the club tend to take it a little bit for granted that Liverpool will get into the knockout stages.

"But it isn't easy. Manchester United didn't make it through a few years ago and Barcelona have had a couple of setbacks this season and they aren't sure of making it. It shows how well we have done in the past."

As if that wasn't bad enough, now Ryan Babel has piped up to have a pop at Rafael Benitez and his management methods, and suggests he may leave in January if he doesn't play more often.

Babel has stayed in Liverpool to keep Fernando Torres company, but said in an interview: "In two-and-a-half years with Liverpool I have never started three matches in a row. I don't play a lot so I can't be happy and I can't cheer out loud.

"We have agreed to look at my situation during the winter. If there's no improvement then, I have to be honest; I want to play somewhere else."

Such comments will greatly hasten his exit from Anfield. Babel cannot expect to lay down a gauntlet to a coach as stubborn as Benitez and expect him to yield. Still, if he doesn't share Carragher's enthusiasm for the Europa League then perhaps that's best.

Debrecen coach Andras Herzceg added an extra bit of pressure by casting his side as the minnows ready for a vengeful mauling perfectly, saying that even a draw against Liverpool would be "the greatest result in the club's history".

The good news for Liverpool is that Fiorentina will be without Adrian Mutu and Stevan Jovetic will only start on the bench. The bad news is that Lyon look set to field Jean-Alain Boumsong.

- - -

Of course, it's not just Liverpool going into this evening's games with it all to do: reigning champions Barcelona host Jose Mourinho's Internazionale in Group F.

The reverse fixture back in September was one of the most anti-climactic borefests in recent memory, as both sides played well within themselves under the notion that they would pick up enough points elsewhere.

Well, here we are in the penultimate round of games and no side in the group that also includes Russian champions Rubin Kazan and Dynamo Kiev have won more than one match so far, and just two points separate leaders Inter and bottom Dynamo.

The time-zone anomaly that is Russian kick-offs means that, should Rubin win, Barca losing at the Nou Camp will put them out of the competition.

With both Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic uncertain of making the match, this is the one to follow if you want to see some real jeopardy.

- - -

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "For f***'s sake the World Cup is in June. Is he on holiday until June 11? You cannot be serious. For me, the big season is with Arsenal, not at the World Cup. We do not pay players to go to the World Cup, we pay the players to do well for Arsenal" - Arsene Wenger impersonates both Gordon Ramsey and John McEnroe when badgered about whether Theo Walcott deserves a place at next year's World Cup.

FOREIGN VIEW: The searing desert heat of a Middle East summer will be no obstacle to Qatar hosting the 2022 World Cup finals, with the Gulf state considering the first all-indoor bid.

"It will be hot, but not too hot," the bid's CEO Hassan Al Thawadi said. "We are developing technology which will help with the June and July heat and conditions."

Temperatures can easily top 40 degrees during the period a World Cup would be staged. Al Thawadi would not be drawn on whether the technology meant a series of air-conditioned indoor stadiums but said an announcement would be made very soon.

Both the 2018 and 2022 World Cup host nations will be selected by FIFA in December 2010.

COMING UP: "Die Meister... Die Besten... Les Grandes Equipes... The CHAMPIOOOOOONS" - There will be 11 men wearing red shirts and one man wearing a goatee who won't be quite as excited as everyone else when that music pipes up this evening. Follow LIVE commentary of Debrecen v Liverpool, Arsenal v Standard Liege, Rangers v Stuttgart and every other Champions League clash tonight from 19:30, with Rubin Kazan doing their bit to eliminate Barcelona first against Dynamo Kiev at 17:30.

There is also a full programme of League One and League Two action, and you can keep up to date with that if you're not already at the ground.

As if all that wasn't enough then you can follow Andy Murray's match against Roger Federer in the ATP World Tour Final match from 20:45 too.

Comments1 - 30 of 70
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hu hu
From kfn_99 on Tue Nov 24 08:53AM
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Liverpool beat Debrecen and Fiorentina beat Lyon: Liverpool are out.
Liverpool beat Debrecen and Fiorentina draw with Lyon: Liverpool need to beat Fiorentina by three goals in their final game to go through.
Liverpool beat Debrecen and Fiorentina lose to Lyon: Any Liverpool victory over Fiorentina in their last game will take them through
From who_are_ya_85 on Tue Nov 24 09:10AM
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Rafa has ask Lyon to restore some pride in French football after 'Henry-Gate'... how's about you restore some pride in Liverpool by trying to actually win a game... simples?
From who_are_ya_85 on Tue Nov 24 09:12AM
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As usual Jamie Carragher talks sense. Heard the interview on radio 5 this morning, "If we don't qualify for the next stage of the Champions League, its not like Liverpool Football Club is gonna close down"
In the world of PR speak I think it is called managing expectations.
From andy_lycett on Tue Nov 24 09:12AM
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11 men in red shirts...
Does Liveinthepast FC's keeper also wear a red shirt? Must be due to some memory in 70s.
From roykeane99 on Tue Nov 24 09:14AM
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11 men in red shirts...
Does Liveinthepast FC's keeper also wear a red shirt? Must be due to some memory in 70s.
From roykeane99 on Tue Nov 24 09:15AM
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Whatever the scoreline will be tonight, I am sure the team will show "KARAKTER" (how boring is that?).
From pekart on Tue Nov 24 09:20AM
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6 - ATS CALED BULL S HAT.
From donneymcclain on Tue Nov 24 09:20AM
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5-Rafa is lucky that the Liverpool fans can blame Hicks/Gillette (sp) instead of him, but the worm is turning slowly but surely!!
From andy_lycett on Tue Nov 24 09:20AM
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A WAS ONLAY WANTIN A WEE BOK ABOOT PASSAYCOTS.
From donneymcclain on Tue Nov 24 09:22AM
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Rafas out on his ear.
the pool out of europe.
Torres out of liverpool. ha fu@kin@ ha.
From steven.kerr on Tue Nov 24 09:23AM
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A HOPE FIORENTINA WIN DA METCH.
From donneymcclain on Tue Nov 24 09:26AM
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i can see debrechen scoring a few goals tonight like they have done, i just wonder who will be able to score for liverpoo, surely babel cant get 2 in 2, voronin maybe?? i think liverpol are gonna draw tonight
From juanpab1988 on Tue Nov 24 09:27AM
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11-Whats not true in his statement Donney?
From andy_lycett on Tue Nov 24 09:28AM
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BUT A HOPE LOSERPOL WIN DA METCH.
From donneymcclain on Tue Nov 24 09:29AM
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How is it a 'must win' game? if Liverpool lose they can still go through. And u call urselves writers. some people!!
From jay8my on Tue Nov 24 09:30AM
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boumsong what a player haha
From juanpab1988 on Tue Nov 24 09:30AM
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ITS NAT A KESTIAN AV WATS TROO OND WATS NAY ANDAY ME AULD PAL. ATS JUST THA SART A RABBASH THOT FATBALARS LIKE JAMIE GERAGHER ALWAYS COME OOT WIF. THEY SAY ALAT, WIFOOT ACTIALLY SAYIN ANYFING ATAL.
From donneymcclain on Tue Nov 24 09:37AM
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A MUST VISAT ME OWN MAMMIES GRAVE TADAY.
From donneymcclain on Tue Nov 24 09:38AM
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IT GOT VARAY SAD TEWARDS DA END AV ME MAMMIES LIFE. AT GOT TAY DA STAGE WERE SHAY COULDINAY DO ANYFIN FER ERSELL. COULDINAY COOK, COULDINAY CLEEN, COULDINAY DAY THA WESHIN. SA AT THOT POINT A THOT, F UCK IT THERS NATHAN IN IT FER ME SA A LAFT.
From donneymcclain on Tue Nov 24 09:43AM
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If Rafa wants the Liverpool name to be first on the role of honour at winning the Europa League. As long as they draw against Debrecen, Rafa will be happy!
From doobie.doobiedoo on Tue Nov 24 09:48AM
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I can't believe the Wigan players offered to refund their supporters for their embarrasing defeat to Spurs. It's the most ludicrous thing i've ever heard. Refunding your supporters just because you lost? Sure they got absolutely mullered but that id sport i'm afraid. It's a nice gesture from the Wigan players, but one that makes a laughing stock of their club. It's typical of the attitude of modern day football fans isn't it? - 'i'l go watch my team play today but if they are losing the game by more than 2 goals to nil then i think i'l leave early'. Okay, Wigan fans are not demanding a refund but it wouldn't surprise me if some of them think they deserve it. My message to all football fans out there is this; if you believe that your team has a god given right to win(just because you happen to follow them)then you cannot call yourself a 'supporter'. If you do, then you basically couldn't give a rats a*s about the club you claim to support. All you care about is yourself and that little shot of seratonin you get from seeing your club win.
From wobblay on Tue Nov 24 09:59AM
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Liverpool to win and be champions of Europe
From shrivathsa on Tue Nov 24 10:01AM
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29-You spanner
From andy_lycett on Tue Nov 24 10:05AM
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Wobblay #30 - Thats a GREAT shout. Total agreement.
From jay8my on Tue Nov 24 10:21AM
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Kev - was Torres playing with injury the last time you played Fiorentina?
You gotta have a strong defense tonight as Debrecen still put 5 past fiorentina over 2 games.
A guess for tonight - 2-2 - or Pool to win 3-2 as you already have won against them.
From doobie.doobiedoo on Tue Nov 24 10:24AM
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donneymcclain wtf are you talking about this is the UK we speak English ffs talk it
From keithjoneskj on Tue Nov 24 10:42AM
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shrivathsa europa league you mean if you are lucky haha
From keithjoneskj on Tue Nov 24 10:44AM
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did arsene wenger really swear in a press conference? Please let me know cos i don't believe it!
From shujaahmad2004 on Tue Nov 24 10:49AM
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For the sake of English football I'd like all the clubs to progress to the semi's if possible, but having gotten stick from Liverfools for losing 3 games in a row to them (though they have nothing else to show for the season past) I'd love it,LOVE IT if they're knocked out of the CL!!! And if Debrecen win and the 'Pool lose to Fiorentina then the scousers r out of Europe completely. It would give em much needed time for their players to recover.
From rilez on Tue Nov 24 10:49AM
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