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LIEGE BOSS FEARS MIGHTY REDS

Boloni - tough draw.

Belgian champions Standard Liege have played down their chances of causing a Champions League upset against Liverpool on Wednesday.

Coach Laszlo Boloni admitted he even swore in frustration when the draw paired his side with the five-time European champions.

This will be Boloni's first major match since taking over the club in the summer, replacing Michel Preud'homme who has moved to Gent.

Boloni has taken over a club who have just won the Belgian league for the first time in 25 years, and now they find themselves facing the might of Liverpool.

Boloni said: "I must admit I was stunned by the draw. It is very, very tough.

"It could hardly be more difficult for us, and to get a draw like this after waiting so long to play in the Champions League just left me speechless ... well almost."

Boloni said: "We respect Liverpool greatly, it will take a lot for us to beat them. They are a great side with great players, and we have a very slim chance."

Boloni will include last season's top scorer Dieumerci Mbokani, despite the Congo striker having missed much of this week's training after returning home following the death of his father.

But it is highly unlikely that Serbian striker Milan Jovanovic will be in the side.

He is wanted by several clubs including Marseille and PSV Eindhoven, and Liege would not want him cup-tied with a big-money move possible.

Instead, 20-year-old forward Marouane Fellaini, who returned this week from the Olympics following Belgium's quick exit from the competition, should play.

Liege will rely heavily on their bright youngsters, 20-year-old captain Steven Defour and 19-year-old midfielder Axel Witsel, two players Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez admires.