pre Chelsea build-up

To be honest, I dread any game against a decent team with the way Liverpool are currently playing, and Chelsea are far from decent, they are actually a great team.

With Mascherano reaching his fitness, Rafa may take a risk by playing him tomorrow. We missed him immensely in Italy, Lucas is not as quick as him and didn't know who chase,didn't know who to tackle when Fiorentina passed the ball quickly in the midfield.

For years, Liverpool's main strength has always been at the central midfield. We boasted a number of world class central midfielders in Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano, just to name a few. Now with Alonso gone and Gerrard practically does not play in midfield anymore, out team struggle to cope in the midfield. Well, when a team struggles at the midfield, that team usually is not able to win and keep the ball, ergo the striker of that team is not supplied thus the absence of goal. Chelsea, inarguably have better choice in midfield. Mascherano can't be expected to take of Lampard, Ballack and Essien all at the same time. They may use the same tactic Hiddink used last season that is marking Gerrard and Torres out of the game. And Lucas, albeit is doing quite well in recent games, isn't exactly in the same class with Lampard, Ballack, Essien and Mikel. But who knows? He surprised everyone by doing alright in Old Trafford last season.

That's one aspect to ponder upon. Another aspect of our game that costs us goals this season is our central defense. Skrtel and Carra aren't talking to each other anymore or what?? The partnership so solid last season seems so vulnerable now, with Carra looking older and older in every game. The way our defense handles crosses are unbelivable. Our full backs are doing okay, contributing to attacking play, but that generates another drawback; exposing our already vulnerable centre backs, especially during counter attacks. The absence of Mascherano in the last few games contributes to the sloppy defense, as he is usually the one for breaking up the opponents' plays and counter attacks, and often covers for full backs whenever the go forward. Drogba is so gonna kill us tomorrow. I hope Agger plays, as he always does well against Chelsea, but I reckon Benitez will take the 'safe' side by playing Carra and Skrtel.

Well, this is just me talking crap. Pessimist and fickle-minded as I am, I hope we at least get a point from the Bridge tomorrow.

P/s: I want this line-up:

Reina
Johnson-----Carra------Agger--------Aurelio
Mascherano------Gerrard
Kuyt-------Benayoun---------Riera
Torres