Four-time European champions and 18-time English league winners Liverpool face the stark reality of their decline as a soccer superpower on Thursday as they try to salvage their season by progressing in the Uefa Cup.
They welcome Steaua Bucharest of Romania to Anfield, having drawn 1-1 in the first leg of their second round tie in the knowledge that victory in Europe’s second-string competition is crucial in what has been a disappointing campaign.
Liverpool are not alone in their discomfort.
Manchester City defend a 1-1 scoreline going to Poland to face Groclin, Italian giants Roma have a slender 1-0 advantage heading to Croatia to play Hadjuk Split, and German giants Borussia Dortmund go into their trip to Sochaux with the tie poised at 2-2.
A 0-0 stalemate at Middlesbrough at the weekend left Gerard Houllier’s Liverpool side ninth in the Premiership, 15 points behind leaders Arsenal.
But the Merseysiders believe the return of inspirational German midfielder Dietmar Hamann, for his first match of the season, could be the boost they need.
”Didi’s been a massive loss for us this season,” said England striker Michael Owen.
”I’m looking forward to having him fit and back, and so is everyone from the fans through to the coaching staff and management. He’s a fantastic player.”
Kevin Keegan, who played a major role in Liverpool’s golden days of the 1970s, takes his Manchester City side to Poland where Groclin will be confident of progressing after battling to a draw in England two weeks ago.
Shaun Wright-Phillips is set to return to the team after missing the last three Premiership matches.
”I will have my tights on for the game as it will be very cold,” said the 22-year-old.
”It is a tricky tie but if we can get a goal early on that will help us to finish the game.”
Former Newcastle defender Marc Hottiger warned Bobby Robson’s men not to write off Swiss side FC Basel despite the English side defending a 3-2 lead.
”Obviously my old club are favourites to go through,” Hottiger told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.
”But it is not an impossible task for them and their manager, Christian Gross, knows only too well it only takes a couple of seconds to score a goal.
”Basel have already shown what they can do in Europe when they drew at Liverpool and Manchester United in the Champions League last season.
”In my opinion my old team do not have the same strength in depth as Liverpool and Manchester United.”
Hearts skipper Steven Pressley will miss the home match with Bordeaux, where the Scots defend a 1-0 lead, after picking up a thigh injury.
”We’ve lost Steven Pressley, so it’s not been ideal preparation for the game against Bordeaux. I think all the high-tempo games Steven has played recently have finally caught up with him,” said Hearts boss Craig Levein.
Roma, in second place in the Italian championship, have a slim 1-0 advantage going to Hajduk Split where they will be without star striker Francesco Totti, who has a calf injury.
There are 23 ties to be decided on Thursday. The 24th between Maccabi Haïfa and Valencia, scheduled for the Turkish city of Izmir, was postponed because of the terror attacks in Istanbul. — Sapa-AFP