Compelling Soccer

Lyon v. Liverpool

Lyon: 3-0-0, 9 pts, top of Group E

Liverpool: 1-0-2, 3 pts, 3rd in Group E

Stakes: As the title indicates, this is it for the Reds. As unlikely a run into the knockout stages of the Champions League is at this point, it has to begin with a win in Lyon. Down by six points with three games to play, they need a lot to go right to vault ahead of Fiorentina or Lyon. If they don't get a result here, they might as well forget about advancing past the group stage. With the Premiership already lost, that would end Liverpool's hope of hardware, unless you want to start rationalizing the FA Cup. Realistically though, that probably wouldn't be enough to save Rafa's job if it came on the line here. Rational or not, the CL is the last chance for Liverpool to bring back something meaningful from this campaign. This is their last shot in the CL so you can do the math. And for everything to be essentially removed from the conversation in November; such talk has been unheard of at Anfield in years.

For Lyon, a point sends them through to the second round. This game is anything but essential for them.

Thoughts on the Opposing Side: Not much. Lyon showed their worth when they beat the Reds at Anfield two weeks ago. This time they'll be at home, where they've already beaten Fiorentina.

Questions I Have: Gerrard? Out. Torres? He's playing but how will he look? He's managed in his first two games back, but with reports surfacing that surgery maybe necessary for him and Stevie G, one wonders how much more he can push it. It certainly makes Rafa's decision against Fulham more defensible, though potentially also more of a stalling tactic than anything else. If they both need surgery, then the Reds are absolutely finished for this season no matter if they beat Lyon 10-0 today. As for today, you have to wonder when you here quotes like this from Rafa:

"We have to take Fernando to Lyon because we don't have too many options."

Does that inspire you with confidence over his fitness?

Aside from that, little else matters. You might bring up the usage of Yossi Benayoun, but really, it's all about Torres. We know Gerrard is out. If Fernando Torres is 90% of Fernando Torres, then the Reds are in business. If his injury is getting worse, then Lyon is definitely going to the knockout stages today and Liverpool is certainly crashing out.

Will I Be Watching: I'll try to keep track. But as usual, work days prevent me from paying extremely close attention.

Expectations: Liverpool's supposed Premiership last stand against Man U ended with the Reds playing spirited and coming away with a 2-0 victory. But that was at home and we saw Torres make it happen. On the road with Torres remaining a question mark, I don't expect much. A draw is possible, but a win? I just can't see it happening.

Fulham v. Liverpool

Fulham: 3-4-2, 13th in the Premiership, 11 Pts

Liverpool: 6-4-0, 5th in the Premiership, 18 Pts

Stakes: If this were American football, this one would be called the "Disappointment Bowl." Of course, Liverpool's recent failures need no introduction, though they will get standard qualification, i.e. no Torres or Gerrard for most of the recent stretch. Torres return against Man U sparked them to a season saving win. On the other side Fulham was a club with big dreams after qualifying for Europe this year but have gotten off to a rough start. They're out of the relegation zone right now, but 13th isn't exactly where the boys from Craven Cottage expected to be residing at this point of the season. A win should send them back into the top ten.

Thoughts on the Opposing Side: Clint Dempsey, you are an American who I can write about who will almost certainly play against the Reds, seeing as that my streak has been rather lousy with that. (Neither Jozy Altidore or Jonathan Spector played when I wrote I was looking forward to watching them) Dempsey finally scored in Fulham's draw against Man City last week as he looks to be fully recovered from his shoulder injury. Another American who we will NOT likely see is Eddie Johnson, though he did find his way to the bench against City. (Steps in the right direction I suppose)

Other names I'm familiar with are Danny Murphy, Damien Duff and Bobby Zamora. Zamora is the American fan whipping boy for why players in the Premiership are overrated. He also could, in theory, play for Trinidad and Tobago, though he still has yet to suit up for them. Zamora used to be good, he isn't these days. But he'd still probably be one of the best players in MLS, no matter how much American fans like to rag on him. Duff remember as being an odd man out when Chelsea went on their spending spree. He was rumored to be headed to Liverpool when he ended up on the outs in Chelsea but went to Newcastle instead. Danny Murphy was a Liverpool man and got sent packing when Rafa got there. Not a bad player, but not as good as the guys who were brought in.

Questions I have: No Gerrard, no surprise. But no Glen Johnson too? Yeah, I didn't see that coming. Thankfully Johnson is more easily replaceable. I might have guessed at a Fabio Aurelio/Emilano Insua back pairing, but Aurelio will probably stay in the midfield. Sotirios Kyrgiakos maybe? Who ever replaces Johnson will not be as proficient at the offensive end, so this constitutes a major loss. I wonder if this will force Liverpool to attack more on the left side with Insua, and possibly end up with an unbalanced attack pattern.

There will again be questions of Torres fitness, but hopefully he channels what he summoned in the second half against Man U.

The Liverpool backline faired much better against the Man U forward, but that's because they lack speed. Thankfully blazers aren't what Fulham are known for. Of course, if Eddie Johnson actually got in...

Will I Be Watching: I don't get Setanta so I'll have to find other means.

Expectations: Perhaps the Man U game has me too giddy, but for all the talk of Liverpool's poor form, it's not as if Fulham has been that grand either. Even on the road, I suspect the Reds pull this one out.

Arensal v. Liverpool

Last Cup Match:

Liverpool. v. Manchester United

Tables:

Liverpool: 15 pts, 8th in the Premiership

Man U: 22 pts, 2nd in the Premiership

Stakes: After four straight losses for Liverpool, things are arguably at crisis point. In reality, an undermanned squad probably should have trouble with the Red Devils. However any leeway was used up long ago. Despite votes of confidence, Rafa Benitez's job could be on the line. I wouldn't do it, but I'm running not running the show. Consider that right now, Liverpool is closer to relegation than they are to Chelsea up at the top of the table. That's just not going to cut it.

Sunderland v. Liverpool

Sunderland: 13 pts, 8th in the Premiership

Liverpool: 15 pts, 6th in the Premiership

Stakes: The standings these days aren't a pretty sight for the Reds. After the battle at Stamford Bridge could have seen Liverpool ascend to the top of the table, instead defeat has sent them spiraling back to the back. Whether or not it's a death spiral for the league title hopes remains to be seen, but things are not looking good for this clash with Sunderland. Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are out for this one, and to make matters worse it's on the road. 1st place? Try down near tenth if this one doesn't end well.

USA v. Costa Rica 8 PM Eastern

USA: 19 pts, 1st in the table, +6 GD

Costa Rica: 15 pts, 3rd in the table, 0 GD

Stakes: The US has nothing on the line in this one except pride. That factor might be upped more than normal tonight as the team tries to overcome the loss of Charlie Davies for likely through the World Cup after the striker was involved in a horrific car crash. For Costa Rica, the World Cup is on the line. A victory sends them to South Africa. Anything else means a Honduras win in El Salvador would send them home. Not even a draw would help; the teams would finish tied and Costa Rica's awful goal differential would leave them empty handed.

CONCACAF Qualifying

Honduras: 3rd in Group, 13 Pts, +6 GD

United States: 1st in Group, 16 Pts, +5 GD

Stakes: The are but two games remaining in World Cup qualification and while both of these teams are locks to make the top four, neither wishes to end up in that 4th spot. Why? That spot will result in a playoff with a team from South America, most likely Argentina. In other words, you can forget the World Cup.

Chelski v. Liverpool

Chelsea: 18 pts, 2nd in the Premiership

Liverpool: 15 pts, 4th in the Premiership
Stakes: The Reds were streaking until a trip to Italy mid week resulted in a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Fiorentina. Liverpool's reward? A visit to Stamford Bridge and a showdown with Chelsea. During this run, Liverpool's been beating up on the weaker sisters of the Premiership; victories over Hull City, West Ham, Bolton and Burnley are necessary if you want to win the league. But they don't show where you rank among the top squads.

Liverpool v. Hull City

Liverpool 12 points, 3rd in the Premiership
Hull City 4 points, 19th in the Premiership

Stakes: Liverpool is rolling; since dropping two of the first three, Liverpool has won three straight Premiership games and five straight overall. Hull City comes in having dropped two straight home games. It's early, but Hull City could use road points to get themselves out of the relegation zone. Hull's at the bottom of the table, tied with 4 teams for the 16-19 spots. Hull's lousy goal differential (-8) drops them down to 19th. Liverpool needs to beat up teams like this to get truly back into the Premiership title battle. Hull needs to steal points from teams like this to make up for losses at home to teams like Birmingham City.

Thoughts on the Opposing Side: My interest in Hull City is entirely based around the development of one Josimer Altidore. American fans love to rank on manager Phil Brown, but he's been true to his word in giving Altidore time and Jozy seems to be acclimating to the English game well. He could have a very interesting match up against a suddenly struggling Jamie Carragher, who struggled with the speed of Zevon Hines and the size of Charlton Cole in last week's game against West Ham United. Altidore possesses both size and speed, though it is raw. He could cause lots of problems for the Liverpool back line.

Questions I Have: As mentioned, how does the Liverpool center backs, namely Carragher but to a lesser degree Martin Skrtel, handle Altidore? The answer to that could well decide whether this game is an easy win like Burnley or a nail biter like West Ham.

I'll also be trying to watch two games at once; the US Under 20 World Cup team is playing. My focus will be on the Liverpool game since it interests me more, but I'll see how much of both I can absorb.

Will I Be Watching: Barring my cable going out, I plan on it.

Expectations: Hull City's down in the relegation zone. Even if they're better than that, they should not be able to walk into Anfield and pick up a point, let alone three. Liverpool showed Burnley what playing a top draw side on the road entails a few weeks back. One would think Hull gets a similar lesson today.

West Ham v. Liverpool

Points:

West Ham: 4 Pts, 13th out of 20

Liverpool: 9 Pts, 5th out of 20

Stakes: A sluggish start means different things when you are in different places to start a season. Liverpool is considered down right now, being in the 5th spot in the league some expected them to challenge for this year. West Ham's placement doesn't look terrible, 13th, but in reality they sit just a point above the relegation zone. Granted it's early to think about that, but giving up points at home is a surefire way to find yourself in the Championship next year.

Thoughts on the Opposing Side: West Ham leaves me indifferent. I know they've been up and down in recent years. If I were rooting for strictly Americans, I'd have to pull for them as they usually start USMT defender Jonathan Spector on the back line. Looking over their Soccernet page, I see a few names I'm familiar with; Matthew Upson, Kieron Dyer, Luis Boa Morte. (Sorry an aside, having taken french and knowing what "morte" means, when I translate that name in my head it reads as Louis Dead Snake. That is all) So West Ham doesn't bother me. That said, they would be a nice place to get points.

Update: I just remembered the clip to the right of Steven Gerrard's goal in the FA Cup final came against West Ham.

Will I Be Watching: I'll be out during the morning but plan to back in time. The late start (12:30) helps a lot.

Questions I have: Three games in a week is a lot, even for men in peak physical condition. How does Liverpool not come out sluggish after having to work harder than expected against Debrecen on Wednesday? When you have players like Fernando Torres admitting poor form already, it makes you nervous during a tough stretch like this.

Expectations: A win would be nice, but a draw seems reasonable. Road points are never easy to come by and Liverpool is playing their third game in seven days.

Game Thoughts Will Come Later.