Liverpool yearn for goals and a clean sheet

Despite being out-played - comprehensively so - by Celta Vigo in Spain a fortnight ago, Liverpool still believe themselves to be capable of edging through into the last eight of this season's UEFA Cup.

Yesterday the talk around Anfield was admirably defiant, embracing the predictable themes of a gung-ho attack, stout resistance and, of course, that most necessary smattering of outrageous good fortune which so often settles ties such as these.

The Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier is adamant that his team can score sufficient goals to confound logic and with players like Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler and Patrik Berger available to him, it is an argument that would hold champagne never mind water.

But, the question is, can Liverpool possibly negotiate 90 minutes without conceding the away goal which would, presumably, see an already difficult task move into the Mission Impossible category.

The statistics suggest that Vigo's free-running forwards will score at least once which would leave Houllier's boys needing a hatful at the other end. "We are in a bad spell; at the moment we are low profile," conceded Houllier. "If we can get through this it will be one of this club's best performances for some considerable time."

The fact that Houllier has spent the vast majority of his waiting hours scouring the globe for defenders would suggest that he knows where his priorities lie. But, tonight, Liverpool's rearguard will boast the familiar, unreliable components.

"I shall start with five at the back because we look more comfortable with that formation," said Houllier. "However, if, as I expect, Vigo come to defend, I shall change things around. We will have to take risks, not from the start, but a 2-0 win will put us through.

"I expect Celta to come and defend, but all I want from my side is for them to come off the pitch knowing they have given everything, taken the risks and been proud of their performance."

Robbie Fowler will captain Liverpool for the first time in the absence of the suspended Paul Ince. "Getting back at them from two goals down is by no means an easy task," said the new captain yesterday, "but we are confident we can manage it and we all believe we can do it. As for me being made captain, it's a great honour."

The most persuasive argument for a comfortable Spanish victory will come shortly before kick-off in the shape of the Liverpool team sheet. There will be no Ince, no Steve McManaman, no Jamie Redknapp and no Vegard Heggem - all suspended.