Strong Side Start Sell-Out

Crewe host Liverpool in a friendly tomorrow which sees The Alexandra Stadium sell-out for only the second time in its history. The only other sell-out came against Liverpool’s rivals Man Utd in a League Cup game nearly two years ago. The fixture is the pinnacle of Crewe’s pre-season campaign, though Liverpool’s World Cup stars are expected to be rested. The numerous scousers and Liverpool fans within the Crewe squad will doubtless be keen to do well against Rafa Benitez’s men. The last time the side’s met was the 1-1 draw in Shaun Smith and Steve MacAuley’s testimonial. David Vaughan opened the scoring for Crewe as a result of a Jerzy Dudek mistake, before Michael Owen equalised with an unmarked far-post header.

Dario’s friendship with Liverpool Chief Executive Rick Parry has ensured a good relationship between the clubs over the years, which was furthered by Rob Jones’ success at Anfield following his move from Crewe. Danny Murphy is the only player to have followed Jones’ path, though Liverpool were very interested in Dean Ashton leading up to the 2005 January transfer window. However, following Benitez’s enquiry about the player, Gradi told him that he couldn’t be sure the Liverpool fan could make the huge step up so rapidly.

Vital Quotes:

Dario Gradi on facing Liverpool: “I’m really looking forward to the game because having Liverpool come to our stadium is a terrific fixture for us. They are a great club, with a great tradition and are always very helpful. They have top players throughout the squad and it will be a good test for our players. I know Liverpool have been looking for a striker or even strikers, so the signing of Bellamy is a good one. He has proved over the years that he is a good player with a lot of pace. They also have Robbie Fowler and that has proved to be an inspired signing. If he was to move anywhere then Liverpool is the place for him. He is destined to do well there.”

Jon Otsemobor on facing his former club: “I’m looking forward to the game and playing against my former team-mates. I’ve not spoken to them as much as I normally do over the pre-season, so it will be good to catch up with them tomorrow. I know the likes of Gerrard and Alonso won’t be playing but whatever team they put out it will be a good test for us. It will be interesting to face the likes of Fowler and Bellamy because as a player you want to face top players like them. I’ve trained with quite a few of the lads when I was at the club and you can see the quality they have. It doesn’t matter if you are playing Liverpool or whomever from the Premiership, they are going to be good players and you have to concentrate for the 90 minutes. They can punish you very quickly and you have to keep on your toes throughout.”

Crewe Team News:

Crewe are set to start their strongest side as preparations continue for the start of the season, which is now just 2 weeks away. Scouser Michael Higdon has recovered from an ankle injury and will lead the line against the club he supports. Luke Rodgers’ 3 pre-season goals to date have earned him the right to start alongside Higdon, as Crewe look to put one over the five-time European Champions. Lee Bell and Michael O’Connor are out through injury, though Darran Kempson has recovered from an ankle injury and is likely to feature at some point in the second half. Ryan Lowe is expected to begin on the right flank for Crewe, with Luke Varney likely to replace the scouser at half time. Meanwhile, Jon Otsemobor, who has failed to impress thus far in pre-season, will face his former club for the first time since leaving last summer.

Crewe side in full: Williams, Otsemobor, Billy Jones, Cox (c), Baudet, Lowe, Vaughan, Gary Roberts, Grant, Rodgers, Higdon.

Player to watch: David Vaughan

Vaughany will be looking to impress to help his bid to secure a move at some point this season. Following Dean Ashton’s departue in January 2005, Vaughan was pivotal in Crewe’s survival with countless long range wonderstrikes contributing to Crewe’s narrow survival. However, the Welsh international failed to live up to those standards last season, and has made no secret of his desire to secure a good move to at least the Championship.

Liverpool Team News:

Liverpool’s World Cup stars are yet to report back to training, so won’t feature in tomorrow’s friendly. However, Fabio Aurelio and Mark Gonzales will make their first starts for Liverpool. However, Liverpool’s lack of depth in midfield means Aurelio, usually a left back or left midfielder, may line up in central midfield alongside Momo Sissoko, though Bolo Zenden will also feature in the centre of midfield at some point. Aurelio received the ultimate praise from Benitez recently, who suggested he may well be a better passer of the ball than Xabi Alonso. Bellamy and Fowler are likely to start together up front, and young hotshot Paul Anderson is likely to feature on the right-wing at some point in the game. Liverpool have a plethora of options available to them in defence, and numerous substitutions are likely to be made at half time.

Liverpool squad: Dudek, Martin, Finnan, Kromkamp, Riise, Warnock, Traore, Agger, Hyypia, Paletta, Roque, Hobbs, Antwi, Peltier, Threlfall, O’Donnell, J. Smith, Aurelio, Zenden, Gonzales, Sissoko, Diao, Guthrie, Hammill, Anderson, Bellamy, Fowler, Idrizaj, Sinama Pongolle.

Player to watch: Mark Gonzales

The Chilean winger was finally granted a work permit this summer, having signed for Liverpool from Albacete over a year ago. In order to gain a permit, Gonzales spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad in Spain, where he scored 5 goals in 12 games.

Match Facts & Stats

The two sides have met each other 7 times competitively in the past. Liverpool have won all 7 of those meetings, with the most recent meeting a 4-0 Liverpool victory in 1992. Fortunately for Crewe, the academy side has enjoyed more success, winning 2 and drawing 1 of the last 4 fixtures against Liverpool in the last two years.