Liverpool go into their clash with Barcelona without Dietmar Hamann, who is suspended after being booked twice in the first phase of the Champions League. John Arne Riise is also a major doubt, having picked up a knock to his ankle during Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Blackburn on Saturday. Emile Heskey seems likely to start alongside Michael Owen, with Robbie Fowler warming the bench.
Phil Thompson claims Liverpool will show no fear when they confront a Barcelona side intent on revenge. The Anfield assistant manager knows the first game of the Champions League second phase will be entirely different to last season's meetings with the Catalan giants. Liverpool knocked out Barcelona in the UEFA Cup semi-finals, earning criticism in Spain for their sterile tactics in the Nou Camp and then winning the second leg with a late Gary McAllister penalty after Patrick Kluivert's handball.
Thompson said: "Revenge is a horrible word but they weren't happy being beaten by us last season. But nobody is happy with losing a big European semi-final. I would expect there to be an extra incentive in the game because they are good and special footballers." He added: "Our players don't need any special motivation to give everything against a team like Barcelona, in front of a packed house at Anfield, where we could have sold the tickets twice over. The fans are going to love it and get behind the team, and that puts us in the driving seat."
One thing Thompson and Liverpool do know, is that while Barcelona have assembled a fearsome array of new talent, the Catalans fear Michael Owen and Emile Heskey. All four of Barcelona's first choice back-line named Owen recently as the best striker in Europe, and veteran Dutch defender Frank De Boer said: "Owen is world class and we fear Heskey. He created panic in our defence last season and you won't find a stronger, quicker, harder striker to play against anywhere in Europe."
Filed by John Raftery
