Skipper Gerrard ready for Euro forward role
Aug 9 2005
By Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
STEVEN GERRARD may be thrust into a forward role in Sofia tomorrow as Rafa Benitez looks to compensate for the loss of Peter Crouch.
Crouch's hamstring problem kept him on Merseyside as the rest of the squad headed to Bulgaria today.
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Benitez is expected to favour a more cautious approach in the tricky first leg, with Xabi Alonso paired with Didi Hamann or Momo Sissoko, allowing Gerrard to play the roaming role which proved so significant in the second half of the Champions League final.
Having handed Fernando Morientes a vote of confidence in the face of pre-season criticism, Benitez must decide whether to back the Spanish striker to lead the line or persist with Djibril Cisse.
Milan Baros has been surprisingly included in the travelling party, despite his imminent departure as the chase for his signature hots up.
Baros was called up following a series of injuries, but is unlikely to play unless there are more problems over the next 24 hours. Bolo Zenden was withdrawn due to a slight muscle strain, joining Crouch, Djimi Traore, Harry Kewell and Florent SinamaPongolle and Neil Mellor on the injured list
