Baroš back for 'cup final'

Rumours
Gerrard was close to leaving his hometown club to join Chelsea FC in the summer before finally committing to Liverpool but an early UEFA Champions League exit could well revive rumours about his future. The England midfielder said: "This game is not about me and my future at Anfield. But I stated at the beginning of the season, and for a couple of years, that I want to play Champions League football, it's as simple as that.

'Cup final for us'
"As a player and for the club we do not want to settle for second best, we want to be involved in the Champions League. It is not about me at the moment, it is about the whole team. We have been talking about this game since we lost in Monaco and we all know how crucial it is for the club and for all of us individually. It is a massive game, this club belongs in the top competition, and that's the Champions League, and we want to stay in it as long as possible, so this is a cup final for us."

Liverpool must win
Liverpool start the night in third place in the section, three points behind Olympiacos and two behind AS Monaco FC. They must beat their opponents 1-0, or by two clear goals, to progress. As for Olympiacos, if they win or draw they are through irrespective of the result between RC Deportivo La Coruña and Monaco. If they lose and Monaco draw, however, they will still advance so long as they lose by no more than two clear goals.

Baroš returns
Liverpool go into the match unbeaten in three domestic matches and coach Rafael Benítez sounded a positive note as he said: "If you told me before the group started we'd be playing Olympiacos at home needing a 1-0 win to qualify then I'd have signed up for that." Benítez will gamble on the fitness of striker Milan Baroš, sidelined since straining his hamstring last month.

Exciting times
Baroš described this as a "massive week" for Liverpool, with Olympiacos's visit followed by Saturday's Merseyside derby at Everton FC. Exciting times indeed but two defeats in four days would cast a damaging cloud on what has been, in general, a bright beginning for Benítez.

Hamann suspended
The Spanish coach may be missing Igor Bišcan because of a back injury here, while midfielder Dietmar Hamann is suspended. Xabi Alonso will partner Gerrard in the centre of a four-man midfield, with Baroš joining Harry Kewell in attack. As for Olympiacos, they will be in a buoyant mood after Rivaldo's free-kick winner against arch-rivals Panathinaikos FC last weekend took them top of the Alpha Ethniki.

Playing to win
Coach Dusan Bajevic, however, has concerns over the fitness of midfielder Grigorios Georgatos and Argentinian defender Gabriel Schürrer who picked up knocks in the derby. "I didn't want it to come down to a final match with Liverpool, but if we're to progress we have to play knockout football," Bajevic said. "So for us the knockout phase starts at Liverpool. We will not be going for a goalless draw. That is not our style."