Anfield Red

Javier Mascherano returns to the starting line up as Liverpool face Atletico Madrid in the Europa League Semi final this evening. David N’Gog starts upfront in place of the injured Fernando Torres.

Whilst tonight’s league match against West Ham is currently on the mind of every Reds supporter on the planet, Rafa Benitez also has to prepare a tactical plan for this week’s Europa League semi-final against Atlético.

The match, which was up in the air at the start of this week, has been confirmed after much debate by Uefa officials. Liverpool have been given the green light to proceed to Spain for their match, a decision that was made after much talk with air traffic control and officials from both clubs.

“Uefa is continuing to closely monitor the travel situation throughout Europe and beyond, in an effort to confirm the staging of a number of matches that are due to take place this week in Uefa competitions,” it said in a statement.

“Regarding the Europa League semi-final first-leg matches scheduled for Thursday 22 April between Club Atlético de Madrid and Liverpool FC, and Hamburg SV and Fulham FC, it is planned that both games will go ahead as normal.

Level on goals with just under 25 minutes to go in the match on Sunday, Rafa Benitez decided to go against the grain and institute a change to his lineup that, truthfully, had to be pre-planned. Why else would he have called time to Fernando Torres’ day with the match hanging in the balance? Even now, I still can’t make sense of the whole situation.

Torres, who looked lifeless as he walked past Benitez after coming off, had a very poor day for the most part. But even if he wasn’t at his best, there’s no reason you take him off when you need another goal. N’gog was subbed on for Torres and the rest, as they say, is history. The Frenchman bundled a couple of chances, and Liverpool left St Andrews with one point — a result that’s surely not enough at this juncture.

The fans at the match weren’t the only group questioning the decision. Steven Gerrard (pictured in the corresponding photo) seemed genuinely confused by the move. If you want further proof, here’s a link to Gerrard’s reaction.

The reason for the substitution? Benitez credited to Torres’ weary legs and the risk of injuring the Spaniard’s knee:

“Torres was taken off to protect his knee and because he was very tired having played on Thursday,” said Benitez.

Two points clear of the pack with eight matches to play, Darren Fletcher understands the importance of Sunday’s match between United and Liverpool. We all know nothing comes easy when these two clubs clash — especially after Liverpool put the mancs on notice last year with a 4-1 thumping at Old Trafford.

One point away from fourth and still trying to gain their legs about them at the end of the season, Liverpool need a result this weekend against United more than ever. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, but these are the kinds of matches that define a season.

Darren Fletcher understands the importance of the match from a United perspective:

“It would be very dangerous to think this is a poor Liverpool side coming to Old Trafford because they are anything but,” Fletcher told the Manchester Evening News.

“It would be a huge mistake to think that Liverpool are not a threat. They maybe haven’t had the season we expected after last year but they are still a dangerous side.

It may have been obvious prior to Saturday’s emphatic derby victory over Everton, but now it’s really official: Liverpool are riding a wave of momentum not seen since last season’s dramatic run at Manchester United and the Premier League title.

And it couldn’t come at a better time.

Whilst it would be easy to bang on about the 10-man victory over our Merseyside rivals, Liverpool really do need to keep their wits about them as they move into what Rafa is calling the most crucial part of the season. As many of you know, Saturday’s match marked the tip of a three-headed monster of Premier League matches for the Reds.

Up next? Arsenal at the Emirates on Wednesday, followed by Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium in a fortnight. There’s no doubting these two matches could make or break Liverpool’s recent run of good fortunes.

Take at least four points from the next two league matches and we could be looking at a furious finish to what was strongly considered a wash of a season just a couple weeks ago. A defeat in either match, however, could lead to a loss of confidence at the wrong time.

Liverpool face Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday, who are currently in 3rd place in the league, 4 points ahead of Liverpool. Fernando Torres is expected to start, while Alberto Aquilani could also make his first Premiership start of the season.

Rafael Benitez has named his starting line up to face Everton at Goodison Park today, using the same team that faced Debrecen in midweek.

Another week, another glimmer of hope rained on. Liverpool fans are, on the whole, an optimistic bunch, but a second successive 2-2 home draw – this time against potential Champions League rivals Manchester City – left many heading out of Anfield boasting only of apathy and indifference. The optimism was gathering pace ahead of a lunchtime kick off in the November wind and rain. The sight of a substitutes’ bench containing Fabio Aurelio, Yossi Benayoun, Albert Riera and Alberto Aquilani warmed the hearts of many within Anfield, even if the weather threatened to freeze them to their seats.

Wondering how Liverpool can make it through the group stages this year? Not sure what result is needed in the other game between Lyon and Fiorentina? Look no further…

Rafa Benitez has named his starting 11 to face Man City at Anfield today, with Glen Johnson not making the bench. There is however; a rare start for Ryan Babel.