sport

RAFA'S REDS ARE BELGIUM BOUND

Benitez's Liverpool face Standard Liege.

Liverpool have been paired with Belgian side Standard Liege in the Champions League third qualifying round this month.

The Reds, beaten semi-finalists at the hands of Chelsea last season, will net a place in the group stages should they overcome the Jupiler League outfit.

The Belgians are making their Champions League debut, having not won their domestic title for 25 years until last term.

Laszlo Boloni's side went on a 31-match unbeaten run to lift the crown, but they will not relish facing the likes of Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane.

Their 30,000-seater home, the Stade Maurice Dufrasne, will be bulging at the seams for this one but it is hard to see how they will stop Liverpool reaching the group stages.

Liverpool have played Standard once before, back in 1965-66 when they beat them in both legs of a Cup Winners' Cup first-round tie, 3-1 at Anfield and 2-1 in Belgium. Roger Hunt, Ian St John, Chris Lawler and Peter Thompson scored the goals for Bill Shankly's side.

That season Liverpool reached the final in Glasgow before losing to Borussia Dortmund.

Reds boss Rafael Benitez expressed his satisfaction with the draw and said: "There are two very important things about this draw, firstly, the second game is at home which is really, really important. Clearly that makes a massive difference to play the deciding game in front of our own fans.

"I am also pleased because the travelling is not a problem. We do not have to go too far which is good, especially when you look at some of the teams we could have drawn.

"People may say it is a kind draw for us but we will treat them with respect. We know some things about their team already but we will now watch more videos and get reports from our scouts before the first game.

"Of course we know about Oguchi Onyewu because he spent some time with Newcastle. Axel Witsel is a good young player and Wilfried Dalmat is probably the best player in their team.

"Alexandre Da Silva is a good defender as well, so we know they will not be easy opposition for us. Overall though it is a good draw and we are happy."

Former Liverpool star Ronny Rosenthal will have mixed emotions over the tie. He joined Liverpool from Standard - also nicknamed the Reds and with a fans' group called the Kop Reds - in 1990.

He told www.liverpoolfc.tv: "It's a very good draw for Liverpool.

"There were some tough trips in that draw so a short journey to Belgium will suit Rafael Benitez and his side and I think it is a comfortable pairing."

He added: "Liege won the league last season for the first time since 1983 and it will be their first time in the Champions League.

"They have got some good players, although there are not any really big names that people in England would know too much about.

"The Brazilian Igor de Camargo is a threat and they have couple of good young Belgian players like Steven Defour, but I do not think they will be able to cope against the likes of Fernando Torres, Robbie Keane and Steven Gerrard."

The 44-year-old admits his heart was torn when he first heard the draw and although he would like Liege to put up a good showing, he says his true allegiance lies with the English Reds.

He said: "Obviously I want Liverpool to win and progress overall.

"But I would not mind Standard getting a good result in the first leg. I will be going to the game in Belgium and I hope to be at Anfield too."

The tie will be played on August 12/13 or August 26/27.