Inter Milan Vs Liverpool - 7:45 K.O
Venue: San Siro
Liverpool managed to muster 2 crucial home goals, and more importantly kept a clean sheet. Liverpool travel with the news that in-form midfielder Javier Mascherano has been passed fit for the crucial decider, although Xabi Alonso has been left behind as he plans to stay with his wife, currently in labour.
Liverpool look the favourites to go through but if Inter manage an early goal, Rafa would be left with the dilemma of whether to attack and risk conceding another, or defend and attempt to contain this table topping side. However on the other hand, if Liverpool were to score an early goal, Inter would have to score 4, an impossible task against such a strong defence.
It will be interesting to see whether Lucas will come in for Alonso, playing holding midfield alongside him, or if Gerrard is pushed back, however Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez may tinker with the side again reverting back to his much maligned 4-4-2.
Another selection headache for Rafa is whether to play the in-experienced Skrtel alongside Carragher, with Hyypia on the bench, or Carragher alongside Hyypia with Skrtel watchin on. Rafa may use all 3, and rather than reverting Arbeloa to Right-Back, he may use Hyypia and Skrtel both in a central role, with Carragher filling up the Right-Back, although that seems an unlikely choice.
Inter Milan have Veteran Luis Figo and Luis Jiminez back for this clash, although this comes to soon for Ivan Cordoba and Walter Samuel. Chivu is also a slight injury doubt, along with former Chelsea front man Hernan Crespo, although both are looking ready for the crunch tie.
Liverpool and Rafa usually produce on the big nights, and I expect them to do just that.
Prediction - 1-0 (1-2) Liverpool through to Quarter Finals
