Uefa Champions League, Group D: Liverpool vs Marseille
Anfield, Wednesday November 26 2008, Kick-off: 21.45 (+2 GMT)
Fernando Torres cannot wait to get out on the pitch and play alongside Steven Gerrard, who will return to his beloved Liverpool team tonight at Anfield as the Reds take on Marseilles in their search for a decisive performance and a win that would secure their place in the knock-out phase of the Champions League at the top of the group.
Should Liverpool overwhelm Marseille tonight at fortress Anfield, this would guarantee Rafael Benitez's men a place in the last 16. In the worst case scenario, the Merseysiders will also qualify tonight should the match end as a draw – if PSV Eindhoven fail to beat Atlético Madrid – but no one in the Liverpool camp is looking forward to making arithmetics and calculations for the other match in the group. The objective is clear, give Marseilles a hiding.
The return of Steven Gerrard after a groin strain is a timely tonic for the Rafa and his men. Liverpool were also hesitant in the Premiership, like all of their direct rivals last weekend, United, Chelsea and Arsenal. Liverpool are desperate for a resounding bounce back from their frustrating goalless draw with Fulham at the weekend, and golden opportunity missed on getting clear off Chelsea and United at the top of the Premiership. Fernando Torres naturally is delighted to have his skipper back in the ranks, with their partnership on the turf becoming ever more potent.
Acclimatisation and a fair dose of familiarisation is probably due however, as Gerrard and Torres have not played in the same starting 11 since the 3-2 win at Manchester City on October 5.
“I wanted to play for a club like Liverpool, where I could learn from players like Steven Gerrard, who I have always respected as a player and a leader,” said Torres, as quoted by the Liverpool official website.
He has recovered from the groin injury that forced him to miss Saturday's 0-0 draw with Fulham, but boss Benitez is not likely to deploy El Niño for the entire match.
Meanwhile, Rafael Benitez told the Liverpoolfc.tv: “I am proud to be in this position and I hope to be here for another 66 matches. I think it is a good achievement for any manager, especially at a top club like Liverpool because that means that the team is doing well in Europe and that is positive for the club. I am proud but I am more focused on Marseilles. I was not aware of the record until someone told me recently, but it is good. When I was in Madrid, Liverpool beat Madrid 1-0 in the European Cup Final. The Madrid goalkeeper was my mate and I knew some of the other players. so I am well aware of the history of Liverpool in Europe.”
