Fabregas and the world cup.

Cesc Fabregas could miss the world cup after he fractured his fibula in the Barcelona game. It really sucks for the Arsenal captain since he is one of Spain's top midfielders. By the time he recovers from the injury, the World Cup squad would have already been selected and likely submitted to Fifa.

Spain is not like the U.S. Where there is a dearth of genuine talent. Spain is full of talented midfielders who are world beaters and it would not be fair for any player to sit at home while everyone hopes that Cesc gets healthy. Fabregas is a genuine talent and I really hoped to see him shine In South Africa, but if he isn't healthy and fit for the tournament, then spin have no choice but to replace him with someone else. Perhaps Everton's Mikel Arteta deserves a look right about now.
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Liverpool's infertile attack

A Benitez team is not likely to come out and batter they opponents as a Barcelona team might. All you have to do is look at his tenure at Valencia to figure out the type of game Rafa expects his teams to play. When it was announced that they were going to face Benfica, this writer knew Liverpool were going to have a hard time getting by. It is interesting that an old Benitez boy in the form of Pablo Aimar should be in the Benfica team. Even though the diminutive Argentine did not have the absolute best game of his life, there is no doubt he knew a thing or two about Benitez' tactics.

In modern day football, it doesn't really matter how great your players are, a lot of it comes down to the style the manager utilizes. A glance at the Liverpool squad shows a lot of players with attacking ability, but they ultimately lack the defensive discipline required to make Benitez' system work.

Liverpool may yet recover and defeat Benfica at Anfield, but there task is an enormous one. The Portuguese side is not likely to back down and defend, and the last thing Liverpool needs is to concede another goal.
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