Liverpool players were part of World Cup winning sides in 1966 (Roger Hunt,Ian Callaghan and Gerry Bryne for England),1990 (Karl Heinze Reidle for Germany) and 1998 (Bernard Diomede for France). Can a Liverpool player bring the winners medal to Anfield from South Africa this year? The odds are good as 12 of the Reds will represent seven teams in this edition of the event. Club and national skipper Steven Gerrard is the mainstay of the English midfield. While Gerrard has often single-handedly pulled Liverpool to victory,he had an average domestic season last year for them. However,if England are to move ahead in the tournament,then Gerrard and the pulled-out-of-retirement Jamie Carragher will have to fire. Although striker Fernando Torres was hit by injury last season,starting in only 22 Premier League games,the Spaniard still had an excellent season,scoring 18 goals. His injury continues to be a concern for Spain,but a fit Torres,together with Barcelonas David Villa,is a prospect rivals defenders need to lose their sleep over. Pre- tournament favourites Argentina feature the Liverpool duo of central midfielder Javier Mascherano and winger Maxi Rodriguez in their strong squad. Dutch winger Dirk Kuyt will be joined in the squad by the enigmatic Ryan Babel. Holland will hope Babel shrugs off his inconsistent form last season. Slovakia are placed in a group consisting of Italy,Paraguay and New Zealand. Although Martin Skrtel had little domestic action due to injury,the defenders role will be crucial in how Slovakia fare. Liverpool No.1 Pepe Reina,one of the best goalkeeper in the Premier League,finds himself as the second choice in the Spanish squad behind Real Madrids Iker Casillas. The players: Fernando Torres (forward),Pepe Reina (goalkeeper) (both Spain); Daniel Agger (defence,Denmark); Ryan Babel (midfielder),Dirk Kuyt (midfielder) (both Netherlands); Javier Mascherano (midfielder),Maxi Rodriguez (winger) (both Argentina); Jamie Carragher (defender),Steven Gerrard (midfielder),Glen Johnson (defender) (all England); Martin Skrtel (defender,Slovakia),Sotirios Kyrgiakos (defender,Greece).
