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TNS braced for Anfield encounter

Total Network Solutions FC are seven days away from a trip to Liverpool FC where they will face their biggest test.

By Tim Dykes

The players of League of Wales side Total Network Solutions FC are closing in on a trip to Anfield, the home of the European champions, where they will face the biggest test of their careers.

Permission granted
Despite finishing fifth in the English Premiership, UEFA Champions League holders Liverpool FC were granted permission by the European game's governing body to defend their title - and duly drew a club just across the Welsh border in the first qualifying round.

Lawless loyalties
TNS, runners-up three years on the trot, earned their place in next week's opening round of matches on the road to the Stade de France in May 2006 by sealing their second League of Wales title last season. Manager Ken McKenna's all-conquering team also collected the Welsh Cup to complete a domestic double - Liverpool fan John Lawless scoring the winner - but the biggest hurdle of all now lies in wait.

Final preparations
"You couldn't write a story like this - a village team from Wales playing the European champions," said McKenna, a supporter of Liverpool's city rivals Everton FC, the man who guided TNS through their final warm-up game last night. Following a 1-0 home defeat by Shelbourne FC at the weekend, TNS travelled to Northern Ireland to face Irish Cup holders Portadown FC and won 1-0, ideal preparation for the Anfield encounter.

Doherty delight
A key figure in McKenna's 26-man squad, therefore, is first-choice goalkeeper Gerard Doherty - who is already feeling the pre-match tension. "When I walk out there'll be a few butterflies, even when we go to Anfield the night before for training," said the 23-year-old. "But what else do you expect when you're playing the champions of Europe at one of the best stadiums in the world? It's going to be a bit like being in the firing line but that's where I want to be. Hopefully I can make a name for myself, even if all I manage to do is keep the score down."

Rooney signs
Another name that leaps out from McKenna's squad list is that of Rooney - Thomas Rooney, the 20-year-old cousin of Manchester United FC and England striker Wayne - who was acquired on a non-contract deal on 1 July and quickly handed the No20 shirt for the trip to Anfield. Meanwhile Tommy Holmes, the experienced centre-half who has played three times on the European stage for TNS in recent seasons, could find himself entrusted with the job of marking Fernando Morientes.

Lloyd-Williams prowess
Despite scoring 72 goals in 182 games for Real Madrid CF, Liverpool forward Morientes would not be the most prolific striker on the field if selected against TNS. With 34 goals in 34 league matches last term and the title of Europe's leading scorer under his belt after finding the net 47 times for Bangor City FC in 2001/02, 32-year-old Marc Lloyd-Williams is the TNS player most likely to cause an upset next Wednesday.

Liverpool aim
FK Crvena Zvezda came closest to reaching the Champions League's group stage from the first qualifying round when they lost on away goals against FC Dynamo Kyiv in the third qualifying round five years ago. Liverpool hope to rewrite history in that respect - but first TNS will enjoy at least 180 minutes in the spotlight. "I've heard TNS have one or two Scousers in their side who've dreamed of playing at Anfield," said Liverpool's Steven Gerrard. "It's nice that dreams come true."

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