When Werder take to the pitch on Tuesday 17.07.2007 at 8:15pm to play FC Liverpool in Grenchen, Switzerland, there will be a very special moment for the Werder fans.
When Werder take to the pitch on Tuesday 17.07.2007 at 8:15pm to play FC Liverpool in Grenchen, Switzerland, there will be a very special moment for the Werder fans.
When Werder take to the pitch on Tuesday 17.07.2007 at 8:15pm to play FC Liverpool in Grenchen, Switzerland, there will be a very special moment for the Werder fans. At the stadium ‘Brühl’, new signing Carlos Alberto will pull on the Werder shirt for the first time and begin his Green-White career.
Torres, Babel and Voronin in the Liverpool attack
It will certainly be no easy task against ‘The Reds’ from Liverpool. There’s no doubt that last season’s third placed side in England will be a mightier mountain to climb than FC Basel (0:2). In 2005 Liverpool beat AC Milan on penalties in the Champions League final having come back from a 0:3 half time deficit and last year the same pair of clubs clashed in the final again – this time the Italians took the honour with a 2:1 win. The team which was already boasting such names as Steven Gerrard (captain), Peter Crouch and Holland’s Dirk Kuyt has been improved yet further this summer. The front line has been added to with the signings of Fernando Torres from Atletico Madrid and Ryan Babel from Ajax Amsterdam. The Reds where also shopping in the Bundesliga where they picked up Andrej Voronin from Bayer Leverkusen. Torres, just like Alberto, will be making his debut for his new club on Tuesday night.
Reds in the midst of pre-season training
Just like Bremen, Liverpool are right in the middle of their pre-season preparations. Rafael benitez’ team have been training in Interlaken, Switzerland since Sunday with the Premier league opener on 11.08.2007 against Aston Villa as their target. Liverpool’s two most recent tests were against Wrexham (3:2) and then against League One side Crewe Alexandra (3:0). The low rate of scoring could probably be excused by the early stage of preparations. Could that be a chance for Werder. Two years ago Bayer Leverkusen had a shock in store for Liverpool as they beat them 5:0 on 18.07.2007. Ironically that game was played in Switzerland too. The Reds have been coming to Bad Ragaz to train for five straight years now.
The game against the Green-Whites is an important test for Liverpool with a hefty schedule coming their way. On Friday, 20.07.2007 Benitez and his men will play French first division side AJ Auxerre before heading off for a friendly game in Hong Kong.
It’s the second real test for Thomas Schaaf’s men after their poor display against FC Basel and again the trainer will be having to choose from an injury stricken squad. On the up side, Christian Schulz, Kevin Schindler and Peter Niemeyer should all be available for the game as will new number 19 Carlos Alberto. The game will be broadcast live at 8:15pm (CET) on Eurosport.
