The papers preview the Bordeaux game. The Times...
Benítez left hamstrung as midfield duo struggleJames Ducker in Bordeaux
Steven Gerrard will have to wait a little longer to make his 350th appearance for Liverpool after he was ruled out of the Champions League match against Bordeaux this evening because of injury.
With Mohamed Sissoko struggling to overcome an ankle problem, it leaves Rafael Benítez short of options in central midfield, but while the Liverpool manager’s immediate concern is to maintain a stranglehold on group C with victory here, the prospect of travelling to Manchester United on Sunday without two of his most important players provided an unwelcome distraction.
Gerrard suffered a hamstring injury in the 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, but, despite completing the match, the problem has not responded to treatment.
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With Liverpool trailing United — and Chelsea — by eight points in the Barclays Premiership, Benítez knows that anything less than three points at Old Trafford could bring a premature end to their title hopes and so, while the manager gave Sissoko an “80 per cent” chance yesterday of being fit to face Bordeaux, he may opt not to risk the Mali midfield player, given the concerns over Gerrard’s fitness. Boudewijn Zenden may deputise.
In Gerrard’s absence, the responsibility of captaining the team this evening will fall to Jamie Carragher, usually so dependable but a player enduring a difficult time of late.
If a lack of fitness helped to explain the runaround Carragher was given by Andrew Johnson in the 3-0 derby defeat by Everton last month, the reasons for the England defender’s poor displays against Galatasaray, when Liverpool clung on to a 3-2 lead, Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn, have been harder to pinpoint.
Benítez is backing Carragher to rediscover his best form against Bordeaux, however, and believes that more players should learn to shoulder the blame like the defender. “Carra knows that he was playing really well in the last two seasons and that he needs to go to the same level,” Benítez said. “Carra is one of the players who won’t hide. He knows that he needs to improve and is working hard to improve. Since the Everton game he has been much better.”
While Bordeaux have lost three of their four previous games against English opposition, Liverpool have been beaten in six of their seven matches away to French teams and, more significantly, have not won any of their six Premiership and European games on the road this season.
Bordeaux, who are fifth in the French league — ten points behind Lyons, the leaders — will be no pushovers. But they have failed to score a goal in the competition, and have only a point to their name, and Liverpool will be disappointed if they do not come away with the win that will go a long way towards ensuring qualification for the next phase.
“When you’re top of the group, like we are, it’s really important to be solid in defence playing away because Bordeaux know they have to win,” Benítez said. “If they don’t it will probably be the end for them.
“They need to go forward and must attack, so it’s important for us to be calm. We’re playing well for 30 minutes, but we need to be consistent for the full 90.”
KEY CLASH - FERNANDO MENEGAZZO V XABI ALONSOWith Steven Gerrard, the captain definitely out and Mohammed Sissoko a serious doubt, Alonso's role in midfield will assume greater importance tonight.
Alonso has not enjoyed the best of form over the past month but the Spain midfield player's penetrative passing could be the key to unlocking the opposition's defense.
In his way will be Menegazzo capped by Brasil at youth level, whose understated style embodies a Bordeaux side short on stars and egos, but committed nonetheless.
The 25-year-old operates in the holding role, but that should not disguise his ability to link defense and attack.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,762-2409186,00.html