We can now breathe a collective sigh of relief, as (touch wood) all our internationals are back at Melwood unscathed but a little tired from their (hopefully) friendly matches representing their countries.
Here's the low-down on how much time and energy was wasted on a pointless friendly, and consequently could this mean Rafa needs to rest them?
ON DUTY:
Reina (SPA v Chile) Played second half, kept clean sheet in one-sided affair. No probs.
Dossena (Greece v ITA) Unused sub, nice chance to sun himself and get tapped up for January!
Agger (DEN v Wales) Played 90 mins in disappointing 0-1 home defeat thanks to Bellamy strike who praised Agger afterwards, calling him "the nearest thing I've seen to Alan Hansen".
Hyppia (Switzerland v FIN) Full 90 mins, lost 1-0 and collected his 95th cap.
Arbeloa (SPA v Chile) Played final half-hour in Spanish stroll. Hardly broke sweat.
Riera (SPA v Chile) Played full game, won penalty for Villa's opener.
Mascherano (Scotland v ARG) 90 mins in first game as skipper under Maradona. Voted MOTM in most of Argentine press. Like the game, started brightly but swiftly became training exercise.
Alonso (SPA v Chile) Played 90 mins - dominated midfield with Xavi.
Lucas (BRA v Portugal) Unused sub, he nearly earns as many air miles as he does pounds. Must forget international career if he is to have a future at Anfield. Needs to cover Xabi and Masche - how can Rafa justify two South Americans in same position as they both jet off every international break?
Benayoun (ISR v Cote d'Ivoire) Israeli skipper played full match, set up both goals in 2-2 draw. Yossi clearly revelling in the limelight of the international stage in his favoured central role.
Kuyt (NED v Sweden) Played full game upfront, scoring final goal in 3-1 win with a header.
Babel (NED v Sweden) Played 63mins behind Kuyt. Good match practice for Ryan!
Torres (SPA v Chile) Came off bench on 57mins, scored 10mins later and set up last-min goal. Wore captain's armband in closing stages but fortunately, no time for a hamstring strain.
N'Gog (U21s, FRA v Denmark) A 54 minute run-out.
NOT ON DUTY:
INJURED
Degen (foot): due back in 3 weeks. Carragher and Darby can cover Arbeloa in the meantime.
Skrtel (knee): due back in training soon, targeting Xmas comeback.
Gerrard (abductor): out of Fulham game, 50/50 for Marseille game.
Keane (shoulder): precautionary withdrawal, should be fit for Saturday.
RETIRED/NOT SELECTED/DRUNK IN ESSEX NIGHTCLUB
Diego, Aurélio, Insua (90mins in reserves), Carra, Darby (45mins in reserves), Plessis (90mins in reserves), El Zhar, Pennant (Alka Seltzers and house-hunting in Stoke-on-Trent).
Probable line-up (4-4-2) v Fulham:
Pepe; Aurélio, Agger*, Carra, Arbeloa; Riera*, Masche, Xabi, Kuyt; Torres, Keane.
Subs: Diego, Dossena, Hyypia*, Benayoun, Lucas or Plessis (depends on fitness), Babel*, N'Gog or El Zhar (depends on fitness).
No need for rotation in defence although Agger could be replaced by Hyypia, who will be cup-tied for Marseille. In midfield, Lucas' long-haul trip means there's little chance of him deputising as Mascherano and Alonso's matches and relatively short trips shouldn't have tired them too much. Babel's plea for game-time is unlikely to be answered with a recall as both Kuyt and Riera are bang in-form, although both played a full 90 mins in midweek. Something that Rafa may address with a rotation on Wednesday. With the absence of Gerrard, Rafa must bring in Torres who needs game-time to improve his match sharpness and won't be tired from his run-out on Wed.
For Marseille, Gerrard could return at the expense of Torres or Keane depending on their fitness to allow Rafa the chance to play his favoured 4-2-3-1 on Wed.
OPPOSITION LOWDOWN: FULHAM
Season so far: 10th place: Played 12, Won 5, Drawn 2, Lost 5, Scored 12, Conceded 11, PTS 17.
Key men: Top-scorer Andy Johnson has scored 4 in 9 starts following pre-season injury, Jimmy Bullard and Danny Murphy pull the strings in midfield, Norwegian defender Brede Hangeland has marshalled the defence well and Mark Schwarzer's free transfer looks like a real coup for Hodgson.
Strengths: Defensively, they have the 4th best defence: Schwarzer's reliable keeping and Hodgson's tactical nous and organisation being a major factor in this record. A good home record, despite fluctuating attendances has seen only one defeat in 7 at Craven Cottage.
Weaknesses: In stark contrast, they have the 4th worst attack. Only a goal a game and will be heavily reliant on Andy Johnson's form this season. Paradoxically, their away record has been woeful, only one point in 5 games on their travels.
Probable team (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Gera, Bullard, Murphy, Davies, Johnson, Zamora.
MATCH VERDICT=Attack, attack, attack. 4-4-2, an early goal. Home win is a must.
Here's the low-down on how much time and energy was wasted on a pointless friendly, and consequently could this mean Rafa needs to rest them?
ON DUTY:
Reina (SPA v Chile) Played second half, kept clean sheet in one-sided affair. No probs.
Dossena (Greece v ITA) Unused sub, nice chance to sun himself and get tapped up for January!
Agger (DEN v Wales) Played 90 mins in disappointing 0-1 home defeat thanks to Bellamy strike who praised Agger afterwards, calling him "the nearest thing I've seen to Alan Hansen".
Hyppia (Switzerland v FIN) Full 90 mins, lost 1-0 and collected his 95th cap.
Arbeloa (SPA v Chile) Played final half-hour in Spanish stroll. Hardly broke sweat.
Riera (SPA v Chile) Played full game, won penalty for Villa's opener.
Mascherano (Scotland v ARG) 90 mins in first game as skipper under Maradona. Voted MOTM in most of Argentine press. Like the game, started brightly but swiftly became training exercise.
Alonso (SPA v Chile) Played 90 mins - dominated midfield with Xavi.
Lucas (BRA v Portugal) Unused sub, he nearly earns as many air miles as he does pounds. Must forget international career if he is to have a future at Anfield. Needs to cover Xabi and Masche - how can Rafa justify two South Americans in same position as they both jet off every international break?
Benayoun (ISR v Cote d'Ivoire) Israeli skipper played full match, set up both goals in 2-2 draw. Yossi clearly revelling in the limelight of the international stage in his favoured central role.
Kuyt (NED v Sweden) Played full game upfront, scoring final goal in 3-1 win with a header.
Babel (NED v Sweden) Played 63mins behind Kuyt. Good match practice for Ryan!
Torres (SPA v Chile) Came off bench on 57mins, scored 10mins later and set up last-min goal. Wore captain's armband in closing stages but fortunately, no time for a hamstring strain.
N'Gog (U21s, FRA v Denmark) A 54 minute run-out.
NOT ON DUTY:
INJURED
Degen (foot): due back in 3 weeks. Carragher and Darby can cover Arbeloa in the meantime.
Skrtel (knee): due back in training soon, targeting Xmas comeback.
Gerrard (abductor): out of Fulham game, 50/50 for Marseille game.
Keane (shoulder): precautionary withdrawal, should be fit for Saturday.
RETIRED/NOT SELECTED/DRUNK IN ESSEX NIGHTCLUB
Diego, Aurélio, Insua (90mins in reserves), Carra, Darby (45mins in reserves), Plessis (90mins in reserves), El Zhar, Pennant (Alka Seltzers and house-hunting in Stoke-on-Trent).
Probable line-up (4-4-2) v Fulham:
Pepe; Aurélio, Agger*, Carra, Arbeloa; Riera*, Masche, Xabi, Kuyt; Torres, Keane.
Subs: Diego, Dossena, Hyypia*, Benayoun, Lucas or Plessis (depends on fitness), Babel*, N'Gog or El Zhar (depends on fitness).
No need for rotation in defence although Agger could be replaced by Hyypia, who will be cup-tied for Marseille. In midfield, Lucas' long-haul trip means there's little chance of him deputising as Mascherano and Alonso's matches and relatively short trips shouldn't have tired them too much. Babel's plea for game-time is unlikely to be answered with a recall as both Kuyt and Riera are bang in-form, although both played a full 90 mins in midweek. Something that Rafa may address with a rotation on Wednesday. With the absence of Gerrard, Rafa must bring in Torres who needs game-time to improve his match sharpness and won't be tired from his run-out on Wed.
For Marseille, Gerrard could return at the expense of Torres or Keane depending on their fitness to allow Rafa the chance to play his favoured 4-2-3-1 on Wed.
OPPOSITION LOWDOWN: FULHAM
Season so far: 10th place: Played 12, Won 5, Drawn 2, Lost 5, Scored 12, Conceded 11, PTS 17.
Key men: Top-scorer Andy Johnson has scored 4 in 9 starts following pre-season injury, Jimmy Bullard and Danny Murphy pull the strings in midfield, Norwegian defender Brede Hangeland has marshalled the defence well and Mark Schwarzer's free transfer looks like a real coup for Hodgson.
Strengths: Defensively, they have the 4th best defence: Schwarzer's reliable keeping and Hodgson's tactical nous and organisation being a major factor in this record. A good home record, despite fluctuating attendances has seen only one defeat in 7 at Craven Cottage.
Weaknesses: In stark contrast, they have the 4th worst attack. Only a goal a game and will be heavily reliant on Andy Johnson's form this season. Paradoxically, their away record has been woeful, only one point in 5 games on their travels.
Probable team (4-4-2): Schwarzer; Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Gera, Bullard, Murphy, Davies, Johnson, Zamora.
MATCH VERDICT=Attack, attack, attack. 4-4-2, an early goal. Home win is a must.
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