Liverpool at Everton: What will Rafa do?

I look forward to this match about as much as I look forward to getting regular colonoscopies when I get older. If last year is any indication of what is in store for tomorrow, Everton will be playing like it's the Champions League Final. Too bad they'll probably never know what that's like.

We have more question marks with our roster than the Riddler had on his body suit. We have injured players that may or may not play in Kuyt, Alonso, and Torres, and we have an obscene amount of players coming off international duty on two days rest with Gerrard, Voronin, Finnan, Babel, Riise, Benayoun, Mascherano, Hyypia, and Pepe Reina.

The league did us no favors either with a 12:45 pm local start time.

Basically what I'm saying is Rafa has two options here. He can go with his best players and risk them being fatigued or he can fill in the gaps with rested yet less experienced players. Option A would look something like this:

Reina
Aurelio
Carragher
Arbeloa
Darby
Leto
Sissoko
Lucas
Pennant
Kuyt
Torres

Option B:

Reina
Aurelio
Carragher
Hyypia
Arbeloa
Babel
Mascherano
Gerrard
Pennant
Kuyt
Torres

Not much difference, I know, the biggest being Darby whom I doubt Benitez would put in such situation. If Hobbs starts, we lose, it's that simple. Anyone who's actually watched him extensively knows he just not ready. The latter line-up is the most likely, but either way, Rafa will get the blame if we don't get a positive result.

Anyhow, here's my final guess:

Reina
Aurelio
Carragher
Hyypia
Arbeloa
Babel
Alonso
Sissoko
Pennant
Kuyt
Torres

Bench:
Itandje
Gerrard
Crouch
Riise
Benayoun

If Kuyt is not ready to go, I think we'll see Crouch start unfortunately. Like I said, I'm not looking forward to this one at all, especially if Cahill is back. A win here would do us wonders.

Finnan's goal versus Cyprus (video)

It's about 50 seconds into this analysis clip of Ireland's woeful 1-1 result versus Cyprus. He now has twice as many goals for his country than his club with two.

Pascal Feindouno is pretty sick (video)

Here's a video of Pascal Feindouno, the Guinea midfielder/striker, we're after.

Today's Banter: Riise wants out?, Torres back for derby?, Babel loves his shuteye, & more

- According to Aston Villa striker John Carew, John Arne Riise is unhappy and would like to join his fellow Norwegian at the London club in January. Apparently the ginger left back is not pleased that he has to share playing time with Arbeloa and now Aurelio due to Rafa's rotation. Honestly, I don't want to see him go, but if he's a disruption in the clubhouse than so be it. Also he hasn't exactly been setting the world on fire when he does get to play. Other than the League Cup match at Reading where he came on as a sub and set up a Torres goal, I can't really recall any stand-out performances from him this season. He should probably think about this a little more before making such a rash decision. If he goes to Villa, will Martin O'Neill use him at left-mid occasionally, like Rafa does? Also he should consider Europe and actually having a shot at winning cups. I guess it really comes down to if he wants to play more or if he wants to be a part of a top club.

- Apparently Torres' injury is not as bad as initially reported and could be back Saturday for the Merseyside derby. That would be outstanding.

- Ryan Babel lost his chance at a starting spot for the Netherlands in their Saturday Euro qualifier at Romania when he overslept twice missing team meetings and a meal. Sounds a bit odd, I mean, I know he needs to be responsible, but couldn't one of his teammates have made sure to wake him up? Sounds like the normal team camaraderie of a Holland camp. Anyhow, I could care less, the less he plays for his country, the less chance he has of injury or fatigue when he returns to Liverpool. 'Big talk' Van Basten originally wasn't going to play the 20-year-old at all, but he still made it on to the pitch as a second half sub for Arjen Robben.

Some more links:
- We might be pursuing AS Saint-Étienne attacking midfielder/forward Pascal Feindouno
- The official site is catching Paul Anderson fever
- Everton defender Alan Stubbs doesn't think Liverpool are contenders