I know every game at the moment is a 'must win' game. But, after the draw against Pompy, this one really is.

I know every game at the moment is a 'must win' game. But, after the draw against Pompy, this one really is.

Who have we got coming back from Africa or the injury/suspension list for this match ?

Please tell me Ricky is back ?

A loss against Pool would be terrible. Not only because we probably would fall further behind in the title race but also cause it's Pool.

And we've got our great home record to protect.

I wonder if we'll get the african players back. Essien or Mikel will be back but I hope to see Drogba back too. And of course Kalou.

well Nigeria is versing Ghana this week i think. So Essien or Mikel will be back, don't know if they'l play the game on sunday. What about Lampard, is he fit yet? I know that Terry has another 2-3 weeks.

well Nigeria is versing Ghana this week i think. So Essien or Mikel will be back, don't know if they'l play the game on sunday. What about Lampard, is he fit yet? I know that Terry has another 2-3 weeks.

The quarter finals (Nigera vs Ghana) is today (sunday) and tomorrow (monday) so after that we'll have either Essien or Mikel back (I hope it's Essien).

The semi finals are played on thursday so with a bit of luck we might get more players back. Personally I doubt we'll get Drogba and Kalou back in time for the game against Liverpool. I think they'll play Guinea in the quarter finals and then Angola or Egypt in the semi finals.

I'm not expert on the african teams but I can't see Guinea or Angola causing them any problems. Egypt perhaps but I think Drogba and Kalou will make it to the finals. Unfortunately.

Lampard is apparently back in training and there was talks about him being on the bench against Portsmouth I think. Looks like he'll be ready for the game against Pool but I think he'll start on the bench and maybe, if needed, come on late in the game.

I wouldn't mind seing us play:

Cech

Belletti - Alex - Riccy - Bridge

Ballack - Mikel/Essien - Maka/SWP (depends on whether Mikel or Essien is back)

Cole - Anelka - Malouda

Bench:

Cudicini

Ferreira

Cole

Lampard

Sinclair

Hate these games against that filth. I know i'll start getting nervous from Friday and i'll be worried all weekend. Its not that i fear them as a team, its the thought of not playing well and maybe losing to a jammy goal ,or have a player sent off. Crouch is a danger and Ricky is badly needed , but J.T. is sorely missed and his absence could be a crucial factor .

Bench:

Cudicini

Ferreira

Cole

Lampard

Sinclair

Oh come on Moos, we all know Pizarro will be on the bench instead of Malouda

Hate these games against that filth. I know i'll start getting nervous from Friday and i'll be worried all weekend. Its not that i fear them as a team, its the thought of not playing well and maybe losing to a jammy goal ,or have a player sent off. Crouch is a danger and Ricky is badly needed , but J.T. is sorely missed and his absence could be a crucial factor .

Trust me, if you had watched the Liverpool play Sunderland today you wouldn't be nervous.

Appalling is the word to describe Liverpool especially in that first half. It's not often I agree with Alan Green but he was scathing and with good reason.

If they play like that against us they will get beat well beat and deservedly so.

There was a reason they were down in 7th only a few days back.

Thanks mate, feel better already

Even after Ghana have played Nigeria it doesn't necessarily follow that we'll have Essien or Mikel back straight away. Some of the African teams keep their squads together even after they've been knocked out of a competition - don't ask me why. And some African players take the opportunity to visit their families and friends - I've got vague memories of Babayaro(?) doing that and returning much later than he was supposed to.

That's not where our problems lie, though - I'm far more worried about our defence. Hopefully Ricci will be back to partner Alex, as Ben-Haim is criminally incompetent, and I'm praying that Grant realises that Bridge is the better option over Cashley.

We must beat the scouse scum, no matter what it takes - I really couldn't stand to lose to that bunch of c*nts again - twice in a season??? NEVER!!!!

We must beat the scouse scum, no matter what it takes - I really couldn't stand to lose to that bunch of c*nts again - twice in a season??? NEVER!!!!

I'm pretty sure we drew with them away in the league and beat them at home in the Carling Cup this season.

Thanks mate, feel better already

I'm not saying Liverfool can't raise their game against us but they had Torries, Gerrard the works out there against Sunderland and for the first half you would have had trouble realising anyone was actually playing any football. The kop was as silent as a church and I had to rub my eyes to check that was Liverpool out there on the pitch. The fans should be wanting Benitez out on this showing not the damn owners.

Sunderland were not great and to be fair and they did not ultimately trouble them but Liverpool were so terrible if I was Benitez I would have been embarrassed. Missed the second half but Green said the score totally flattered them and boy can I believe it.

They will need to raise their game considerably to give Grant real tissues and issues.

The trouble with Liverpool is that you take away Torries, Gerrard, Reina and may be Carragher and there is nobody on that pitch with any class to make a difference. Tubby's constant machinations in the rotation policy of his only make it much worse and hamper those players that are worth something.

He may have caused us pain the CL games but that was a while ago now and they were European nights when he actually seems to get his tinkering to work. Benitez is in trouble and there is no getting away from it and I strongly suspect that after this initial rather superficial result against Sunderland they will be back down into 7th come next weekend in crisis again looking forward to receiving Inter Milan.

Truth be told aside from that 2-0 loss last season when has tubby in league games got one over on us?

We must beat the scouse scum, no matter what it takes - I really couldn't stand to lose to that bunch of c*nts again - twice in a season??? NEVER!!!!

I'm pretty sure we drew with them away in the league and beat them at home in the Carling Cup this season.

Do you know, I believe you're right. I must have been getting confused with last season's game? It just goes to show, the very thought of losing to the b*stards does my brain in - senile dementia is rapidly approaching

Carvalho was only suspended this weekend (for 6 bookings) so I can't see why he wont be back next week.

Will be good to have some (attacking) options on the bench again!

The only players im worried about is Tores and Babel.

Babel hasnt even played that much from what ive seen.

Torres and Benayoun im worried about. Torres for his speed and Benayoun for his ability to make goals and also score them. But with Carvahlo back our defense won't look like the horror show it was against pompey.

Looks like its Mikel that will be back

And some African players take the opportunity to visit their families and friends - I've got vague memories of Babayaro(?) doing that and returning much later than he was supposed to.

That is correct BB. He disappeared on a couple of occaisions and failed to return on time. Disco Baba was a big party animal.

Had bags of ability and could have been a great player but football was never the top priority for him.

I think the key player against Liverpool will be Joe Cole. Over the past few years he has been the playing his best against them. I reckon it will be 2-1 to Chelsea.

"With the 'news' that Jamie Carragher has had his birthday cake stolen by anti-American Scouse militants; The 'Nieces and Nephews of Nessie', who describe themselves as a splinter group of the 'Sons of Shankly', have claimed responsibility for the kidnap of the cake - and are demanding the exit of Tom Hicks and George Gillett to ensure its safe return.

The homes of several Liverpool players have been broken into while the club contests away games, although strangely thieves are yet to find a Premier League winners' medal among the booty." -Eurosport

yep, we'll win this game

"With the 'news' that Jamie Carragher has had his birthday cake stolen by anti-American Scouse militants; The 'Nieces and Nephews of Nessie', who describe themselves as a splinter group of the 'Sons of Shankly', have claimed responsibility for the kidnap of the cake - and are demanding the exit of Tom Hicks and George Gillett to ensure its safe return.

The homes of several Liverpool players have been broken into while the club contests away games, although strangely thieves are yet to find a Premier League winners' medal among the booty." -Eurosport

yep, we'll win this game

Just love your avatar. Best moment in the history of Chelsea

Just love your avatar. Best moment in the history of Chelsea

ha ha thanks got it just for the occasion of this sunday's game

I think the key player against Liverpool will be Joe Cole. Over the past few years he has been the playing his best against them. I reckon it will be 2-1 to Chelsea.

The way Liverfool are playing at the moment and I use the word "playing" loosely - 2-0 to us and tubby has to shave off his beard in mourning.

Oh and someone robs his house to put the seal on a lovely day.

I think the key player against Liverpool will be Joe Cole. Over the past few years he has been the playing his best against them. I reckon it will be 2-1 to Chelsea.

The way Liverfool are playing at the moment and I use the word "playing" loosely - 2-0 to us and tubby has to shave off his beard in mourning.

Oh and someone robs his house to put the seal on a lovely day.

Rob Torres, he may want to move to a safer City then...

(not that London is safer, less Scousers though, always a plus)

I think the key player against Liverpool will be Joe Cole. Over the past few years he has been the playing his best against them. I reckon it will be 2-1 to Chelsea.

The way Liverfool are playing at the moment and I use the word "playing" loosely - 2-0 to us and tubby has to shave off his beard in mourning.

Oh and someone robs his house to put the seal on a lovely day.

Rob Torres, he may want to move to a safer City then...

(not that London is safer, less Scousers though, always a plus)

Rob Torres, Fenandos older brother, sleazy porn club owner who Fernando is embarassed of but still finaces the business. Is thinking about moving his business to Liverp**l from Madrid. Has heard that such clubs do well down in the beatles town.