Henchoz headache for Liverpool

Liverpool FC will tackle Celtic FC in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup without Stéphane Henchoz after the central defender was ruled out for between four and six weeks.

Minor operation
The Swiss international is to have a minor operation on his left calf after receiving an injury in Liverpool's English League Cup final victory against Manchester United FC. Henchoz played a pivotal role in the 2-0 success, clearing a Paul Scholes shot off the line with his side leading 1-0.

Revered partnership
Signed from Blackburn Rovers FC in July 1999, Henchoz is one half of one of European football's most revered central defensive partnerships along with Sami Hyypiä. The Swiss defender played in both legs of the UEFA Cup third-round success against AJ Auxerre but is extremely unlikely to feature against Celtic.

European qualifier
Liverpool travel to Glasgow on 13 March before the Scottish champions visit Anfield the following Thursday. Henchoz could also be unavailable to play for Switzerland in their UEFA EURO 2004™ qualifier in Georgia on 2 April. However, should Liverpool progress, he will hope to be fit for the first leg of the semi-final on 10 April.

Heskey also out
There was further bad news for Liverpool today when manager Gérard Houllier learned that Emile Heskey will definitely miss the trip to Celtic after straining a hamstring against United. The England striker is expected to be out for a fortnight.