The UEFA Cup draw has thrown up the enticing prospect of a quarter-final meeting between Liverpool and Celtic but before that Gerard Houllier must face Auxerre and their veteran coach Guy Roux in the fourth round.
Both Houllier and Auxerre's legendary coach have suffered serious cardiac problems in the last couple of years and the French side's director of operations Gerard Bourgoin said: "It's the match of the heart attack victims."
Liverpool's chief executive Rick Parry was relieved not to have drawn Celtic in the fourth round, but it won't be easy against the French side who beat Arsenal 2-1 at Highbury in the first stage of the Champions League.
Parry said: "I've spoken to Gerard and he's excited by the draw against Auxerre. They're a good team, a young team, and it's not an easy one, although we do know a lot about them and players such as Djibril Cisse and (Khalilou) Fadiga."
Liverpool met Celtic in the UEFA Cup first round in 1997 when they fought out a 2-2 first leg draw at Parkhead - memorable for a stunning last-gasp equaliser by Steve McManaman - and then drew 0-0 in the Anfield return, Liverpool going through on away goals.
Celtic were rewarded for disposing of Celta Vigo by a draw against Stuttgart, one of the form teams in Germany. Head of operations, Ronnie Hawthorn said: "It's another big game for us. There is the prospect of playing Liverpool in the quarter-finals on the horizon but we are very careful about not looking too far ahead, though I know everyone will be thinking about it.
"If it does happen many people will be relishing it but to be fair to Stuttgart that's not going to be an easy match - I'm have a feeling they will be a very professional outfit."
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