Aquilani awaits his chance
Alberto Aquilani could finally make his Liverpool bow in a big Premier League clash on Saturday - but wait for it - it all depends on the fitness of Steven Gerrard, Yossi Benayoun and Albert Riera.
Aquilani has been nursed back to fitness since he signed for Liverpool - a pretty bizarre situation, when you think about it - and could now be asked to try and kickstart the club's title challenge as they face Manchester City in the early kick-off on Saturday.
City and boss Mark Hughes have set themselves a target of outstripping Liverpool this season, so they are going to be up for it. Another defeat for the Anfield club - particularly at the hands of the new kids on the block - would heap yet more pressure on Liverpool.
The former Roma playmaker has more than just his club career to play for - Italy coach Marcello Lippi has said Aquilani is in the frame for a World Cup place if he can play consistently for Liverpool.
So Reds boss Rafael Benitez will be hoping Aquilani can secure a seat on the plane to South Africa, then. The fortunes of Aquilani this season could even shape the future of Benitez at the club. If he proves an astute buy, capable of running the midfield with the same class as Xabi Alonso, then Benitez will have been vindicated.
If he's a flop, Benitez will be running out of road even faster than he was before.
Duff call
Winger Damien Duff has hardly helped to lift football out of its latest moral crisis by admitting he'd have done the same thing as Thierry Henry on Wednesday night.
It had all been going so well for Duff, too - his bright performance at Stade de France, when he set up Robbie Keane's goal, went some way to silencing the doubters who say he's past his best.
And now the irrepressible Fulham winger has turned his attention to French sponsors Adidas and FIFA, claiming a conspiracy to send France to the World Cup.
"Do I think it's a conspiracy? Definitely," Duff said.
"FIFA want the big teams in the World Cup, they want France in the World Cup, and it may sound silly but they want teams sponsored by Adidas.
"Adidas sponsor the World Cup, they sponsor France. Michel Platini has a lot of influence as well."
Duff would have had more influence on the tie had he taken his second-half chance in Paris, and it would all be academic now.
The fact of the matter is that the Swedish officials, in general, were outstanding on Wednesday and certainly did not favour France. While Ireland are angry with good reason, their destiny was in their own hands in that second half.
No-one deserves to lose the dream of a World Cup dream like that but to some extent their were architects of their own downfall.
Spirited away
Warming to the theme of Wednesday evening's events, it was mildly annoying to hear the TV commentators repeatedly refer to "Irish spirit". It had very little to do with spirit - Ireland were technically and tactically better than France, certainly for the first 90 minutes. Which admittedly wasn't difficult considering how poor France were.
It's a shame that a character like Giovanni Trappattoni will not be taking his Ireland side to the World Cup - and similarly it's a shame that a coach as clueless as Raymond Domenech will be there in his place.
Lastly, for those of you who missed it, FIFA released a statement on Friday morning officially rejecting Ireland's request for a replay:
"FIFA states that the result of the match cannot be changed and the match cannot be replayed. As is clearly mentioned in the Laws of the Game, during matches, decisions are taken by the referee and these decisions are final."
Time for us all to move on.
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