Emile Heskey will be a definite starter as Liverpool chase the second of three trophies in tomorrow's FA Cup Final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. Manager Gerard Houllier will now have to decide between Michael Owen and Robbie Fowler for the remaining striker's role, with both players sweating on the Frenchman's decision.
In a rare break from his strict policy of secrecy regarding team selection, Houllier revealed his thinking earlier today. He admitted: "I can confirm that Emile Heskey will play. I will pick what I think is the best team to win the match, and that means I will leave out a high profile player. I do not find that a difficult decision, I have in my own mind what is my best team, and the only time I have had a difficulty picking a team was last season when I didn't have a striker, with both Owen and Fowler injured before Heskey arrived.
Owen, scorer of six goals in a week, looks to be the favourite to win the race for a starting place. But club captain Fowler will find it hard to accept being left out. He insisted: "I will be totally gutted if I don't play." Houllier opted for Fowler in the Worthington Cup Final victory over Birmingham, but he is expected to start from the bench tomorrow.
Liverpool's only other doubt is over the left side of midfield, where Patrik Berger, Danny Murphy and Vladimir Smicer are the only genuine contenders. Before setting off for the short flight from Liverpool to Cardiff, Houllier added: "I know that Arsene Wenger has experienced the wonderful feeling of winning the FA Cup, and now I hope that I can have that feeling too. I have great belief in my players, and great faith. We are being portrayed as the underdogs, but that doesn't bother me. There is a great desire to achieve something as a club. Liverpool is about a glorious past, now it is down to these players to make their own names in the history of Liverpool."
Filed by Shane Murray
