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Barcelona enjoy home comforts

The odds favour FC Barcelona as they prepare to meet Group B rivals Liverpool FC.

The odds favour FC Barcelona as they prepare to meet Liverpool FC in a titanic UEFA Champions League encounter at Camp Nou on Wednesday. Yet history is on the side of the Merseyside club, who remain the only English visitors to win in the Catalan capital, taking victory in the 1975/1976 UEFA Cup.

Houllier factor
Then there is the Gérard Houllier factor. The convalescing Liverpool manager returned to the training ground this week, handing the team a welcome boost before their departure to Spain. Caretaker manager Phil Thompson said of Houllier's appearance: "He had his bench coat on and he was loving every minute of it out there. The players were delighted to see him back on the training pitch and I know he was delighted to be working with them again.

'There in spirit'
"Gérard's been putting in a few hours in his office but to see him out on the training pitch was brilliant - it shows how near he is to making a complete recovery," Thompson added. "Even though he's not travelling over for the match we all know he'll be there in spirit."

Home run
Liverpool need all the help they can get because defeat will eliminate them from the competition. Victory for Barcelona could reinstate them as Group B leaders, but anything else would have the Spanish side looking anxiously for the result from Rome. Since Liverpool's victory on this ground in 1975/76, Barcelona have remained unbeaten at home to English visitors; 22 games producing 17 wins and five draws. Last season's UEFA Cup semi-final produced a scoreless draw with Liverpool winning the Anfield return.

Costly defeat
Barcelona have not fared as well as their English rivals since their 3-0 defeat by AS Roma two weeks ago. They first recorded a 5-1 home win over Málaga CF but last weekend's 2-1 defeat in Sevilla FC against Real Betis Balompié leaves them seven points behind Primera Divisíon league leaders, Valencia CF, and six behind Real Madrid CF, who visit Camp Nou on Saturday. Coach Carles Rexach has admitted that a home defeat against their old rivals from the capital would practically rule Barcelona out of the title race.

Kluivert on song
The game against Málaga was notable for Patrick Kluivert's spectacular hat-trick and the first appearance this season of defender Abelardo. But last Saturday's defeat to Betis left Rexach's team in fifth place. It did, however, mark the return of Argentinian goalkeeper Roberto Bonano to the line-up for the first time this year.

Rivaldo concerns
Rivaldo was withdrawn against Betis as a precautionary measure after complaining of a sore knee and his fitness is causing some concern. Kluivert was excused training on Sunday but is expected to have recovered from a minor muscle injury in time for the game, while Francesco Coco hopes to have recovered from an ankle problem. Gabri and Philippe Christanval have both been passed fit.

'No luck in Rome'
"We had no luck in Rome and we had no luck here [against Betis] either," Rexach complained. "But now we have to concentrate on Liverpool and players can forget about previous matches more easily than their trainer can."

Gerrard could be back
Liverpool have Emile Heskey to thank for going into this game with qualifying prospects still alive after he produced a late equaliser against Galatasaray SK two weeks ago. With Michael Owen sidelined by another hamstring injury and Nicolas Anelka ineligible it is likely that Heskey will operate as a lone striker on Wednesday or in tandem with former Barcelona man Jari Litmanen. Midfield player Steven Gerrard could return after missing the last four games with a groin injury.

'Strong stuff'
Thompson said: "I still believe we can do it. My players were very disappointed not to have won [in Turkey] but they're made of strong stuff and are looking forward to going to Barcelona. We drew there 0-0 last year and we know we can play better than we did on that occasion. I believe in the character of these players and we have turned the odds in our favour time and time again."

Away-day returns
Liverpool maintained their 100 per cent record of winning in the FA Premiership immediately following a Champions League journey when they defeated Fulham FC 2-0 at Craven Cottage. Nicolas Anelka scored his second league goal in eleven Premiership games with Litmanen adding a second. It was a victory that extended Liverpool's record to 16 wins from their last 27 away games in all competitions.

Murphy double
They followed that with a 3-0 home win over championship rivals Newcastle United FC. Two goals from Danny Murphy and a first league goal of the season for midfielder Dietmar Hamann secured the victory and put Liverpool two points behind leaders Manchester United FC and one behind Arsenal FC.