Europa League
Thursday 4th October 2012
Anfield
Liverpool VS Udinese
Whereas for some teams this competition may hold some feelings of trepidation or even apathy, there's a great deal of excitement surrounding any occasion where we'll have a chance to showcase the abundance of talent that there is right the way through the academy right now.
As if there wasn't enough in the way of anticipation, tonight encounter will be against an Italian side with a lot to prove and a great deal of frustration that they need to get rid of. Having been dumped out of the Champions League qualifying phases for the second year in a row, Udinese won't see this tournament as much of a consolation. They do know however that on a stage like this at a venue like Anfield, they can show the world exactly what they're made out of.
Having gone through a summer of renovation in which key players like Samir Handanovic, Mauricio Isla and Kwadwo Asamoah all moved on and those bought to replace them being unable as of yet to fill their roles, the season has not started well for the Bianconeri. Like ourselves they have only managed one win so far in Serie A and sit fifteenth in the table. Much like we were able to get back some kind of winning mentality with victories over Young Boys and West Brom, they will be looking to really kick-start their campaign with a morale boosting win here tonight. On our part, we'll be well aware that a second three points will - even at this early stage of the group - make progression into the next phase that much simpler.
One of the things that makes the selection for tonight's team so interesting is that with so many players from this youth side that we've been fielding have come into the senior team and done well, a chance may now be given to even more brought in from the Academy. Jon Flanagan, Ryan McLaughlin, Danny Wilson and even Michael Ngoo all have a shot at being a part of the squad if they aren't to make it directly into the starting eleven. The anticipation who will be the next player to make the step up is all part of the fun.
With the quality of our opposition in both continental and domestic campaign reversed and Udinese being a far tougher challenge than Stoke on paper, there may be the temptation to bring some of our key players back into the squad. Starting them may be a mistake but the likes of Joe Allen, Steven Gerrard or even Luis Suarez could easily find themselves on the bench tonight. There are also those like Suso, Sterling and Wisdom, players that would in other circumstances be a shoe in to have a key role in this game but may now miss out for fear of burning them out. Stewart Downing and Ousamma Assaidi will be looking to get a look in tonight as the first team is becoming rather settled and they will be looking for a performance good enough to force their way into the reckoning to start a Premier League game. This may also be the perfect chance for Fabio Borini to get himself a bit more confidence. I imagine if he plays at all he'll be leading the line and a couple of goals tonight would really do him good.
Two players will be available for selection tonight whose fortunes could not be any more diverse. Jonjo Shelvey will come back into the team as he will sit out the last of his three game ban on Sunday and will be desperate to pick up from where he left off, having played so well against Young Boys and looking like the real deal. Meanwhile Joe Cole has returned from obscurity once again with his injury having cleared up. Whether he is fit enough to play or not I don't know but I do know for certain that he won't be risked against Stoke and so this represents his best chance of getting any kind of first team match practice and to integrate himself once more into the team. It's been a rough time for Cole as of late but regardless of what anyone thinks about his ability these days, everything he's said and done - to the point of trying to play on at West Brom with a torn muscle - it's clear he wants to succeed at Liverpool. Here's hoping he has the chance.
Our Italian opponents tonight have in their weaponry one of the most prolific strikers of his nationality. Antonio Di Natale is getting on a little at the age of thirty four but has still hit at least twenty league goals in each of his last three seasons, getting nearer to thirty on two occasions. His predatory instincts are absolutely deadly and if he does play - I'm expecting something of a more shadow side from Udinese, Italian team rarely go all out with their line ups in this competition - then it will give the game an added dimension. On top of all that, Di Natale is someone worth admiring for his off the field activities, having taken financial responsibility for the disabled sister of a team-mate that died earlier this year. Genuinely heartfelt, I cannot respect this enough.
Any clash between two teams in one of Europe's big leagues is going to garner interest. Regardless of what teams are actually put out and the level of superstars in them, this promises to be a fascinating encounter. We've had a wild ride as of late with our youngsters and I've no doubt it's set to carry on in much the same way. It's become less about the scoreline and more focused on the progression of their talent and cohesion between those in the team. So long as we get that right then the results will come, as they have in recent weeks. The feel good factor around Anfield is really high at the minute. Long may it continue.
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