Pool to keep it dry

August 28, 2007 - Paul McLeod Liverpool should sail through to the group stages of the Champions League as they take an advantage into their home leg tie against Toulouse on Tuesday evening and backing the Reds to keep a clean sheet at 4/5 with totesport is akin to buying money.
 
Although some may view the odds as being prohibitive, always weigh up whether a price is commensurate with a risk and, to put totesport's offer into perspective, Ladbrokes go 4/9 about the home side keeping a clean sheet.
 
Rafa Benitez's charges posted a robust display when beating their French rivals 1-0 at the Stade Municipal on August 13, a match which offered little in the way of entertainment until Andriy Voronin struck the 25-yard winner for the visitors.
 
Prior to that goal Toulouse were defending deep, making it hard for Liverpool to create chances, but when the French outfit adopted a more offensive approach after the interval, their efforts never looked likely to be rewarded with an equaliser; in essence Liverpool weren't overly stretched.
 
Liverpool haven't conceded in open play in four games so far this term and last season, a campaign in which they were runners-up to AC Milan in this competition, they emerged with the best defensive record at home in the Premier League - only seven goals were scored against them in 19 league fixtures in front of the Kop. Tactically this will be an interesting game. Whether Toulouse will go in search of a goal straight away or whether they will endeavour to absorb pressure in the first half before throwing the kitchen sink after the break is something of a poser.
 
On the other hand, for Liverpool scoring an early goal will be the objective, but, as they have proven time and time again, they are an extremely organised outfit and, even when in attack mode, Liverpool do not neglect their defensive duties. No team has looked as solid as the Merseysiders so far this season in my opinion.
 
Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher are set to miss this encounter, but as was evident during their victory at Sunderland on Saturday, the Reds now possess the requisite resources to fill voids in virtually ever area of the park.
 
Benitez will tinker with the squad, as he did in the first leg, probably resting the impressive Torres, instead pairing Peter Crouch with Voronin up front. There are options aplenty in midfield and, crucially with the suggested bet in mind, Liverpool's defensive options are excellent.
 
Verdict: 3pts Liverpool to keep a clean sheet @ 4/5 (totesport)

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