With Liverpool's new striker Peter Crouch unavailable due to injury, there was much speculation who manager Rafael Benitez would select to lead his attacking line for the match. Both Djibril Cisse and Fernando Morientes were struggling to see their careers at Anfield take off, however Benitez decided against starting the Frenchman and opted for Morientes supported by second-striker Luis Garcia. The Reds were also without captain Steven Gerrard and left back Djimi Traore due to injury, causing Benitez to bring John Arne Riise down from his more usual wing role to left back, and he also pushed right back Steve Finnan into midfield to play alongside Xabi Alonso, Dietmar Hamann and new signing, Boudewijn Zenden. Josemi took Finnan's place in the back four alongside the club's ethereal centre h