Houllier expects

UEFA Cup, first round, second leg, previews: Gerard Houllier has dismissed the claim by Olimpija Ljubljana coach Suad Besirovic that Liverpool are "weak", made after the clubs drew 1-1 in Slovenia three weeks ago.

"If he thinks we are weak then he doesn't know my players," Houllier said curtly, ahead of tonight's second leg at Anfield. "The one thing we have is guts and heart."

Even without the predatory threat of Michael Owen, Houllier's men will be expected to negotiate a passage into the second round with the modicum of fuss, and certainly less difficulty than they encountered in the first leg.

One or possibly both of the club's French teenage strikers, Anthony Le Tallec and Florent Sinama-Pongolle, will be involved.

Le Tallec started the first leg, and should play alongside Emile Heskey and Harry Kewell in attack. Sinama-Pongolle, another talented but raw forward, is expected to be among the substitutes.

Houllier is also looking for a positive reaction from Heskey, whose part in the clashes between England and Turkey players at half-time of Saturday's Euro 2004 qualifier has detracted from one of his finest international performances.

"If anything, he should be more on fire," said Houllier. "Sometimes when there is tension caused by something from outside it can help your game."

Liverpool welcome El-Hadji Diouf back from suspension to the right of midfield, and Stephane Henchoz is fit again after a lengthy ankle injury, although Houllier might consider it too early to ask the defender to play a full game and stick with Igor Biscan beside Sami Hyypia at the heart of the defence.

LIVERPOOL (probable, 4-4-2): Dudek; Finnan, Hyypia, Biscan, Riise; Diouf, Gerrard, Diao, Kewell; Le Tallec, Heskey.

OLIMPIJA LJUBLJANA (probable, 4-4-2): Mavric; Lazic, Budicin, Handanagic, Pokorn; Aljancic, Grabic, Ilic, Rudonja; Kmetec, Jusufbegovic.