Thursday, March 25, 2004
Marseille v Liverpool: Preview
PA
MARSEILLE, March 24 (UEFA Cup) - Marseille coach Jose Anigo has warned his side not to be fooled by the fact Michael Owen has ``only'' scored 14 goals so far this season.
Owen will lead Liverpool's attack in the UEFA Cup fourth-round second-leg in the Stade Velodrome, with the Anfield side knowing they have to score to stay in the competition after being held 1-1 on their own patch by Anigo's side a fortnight ago.
Quizzed on whether he felt Owen was short of top form at the moment, the French coach - who brushed aside talk of former Manchester United defender Laurent Blanc becoming the club's general manager soon - insisted the striker was still a real danger to his side.
Anigo said: ``Okay, he has only scored 14 this season - but in France that would be a big tally for any striker.
``And do not forget Owen has been injured for so long this season. He is a big player on this stage.
``He is a big danger to us, we have watched his performance in the game last week against Portsmouth on video when he scored twice, and believe he is in very good form.''
Owen has an outstanding scoring record in away European ties for Liverpool, and Anigo added: ``Their attack has great pace, we know we also have to be very careful of players like Harry Kewell and Milan Baros too.
``The strong point in Liverpool's game is their pace and we have to be very careful of that.
``They have quality players, far more than us, and that is shown by the level of player that they have only on the bench. We cannot match that.
``We do believe we have seen weaknesses, but they are few as far as I am concerned, and they are generally very strong in all departments.''
But Anigo added: ``Our tactics will be similar to the way we played at Anfield, and I know my players are motivated to get through this round.''
Liverpool expect to include French attacking midfielder Bruno Cheyrou, and the unpredictable young international said: ``I know what to expect at Marseille, I have played here a couple of times and understand what the atmosphere will be like.
``In fact I have played twice here and not lost.
``We know we have to score in this match, we know what is expected of us.
``Marseille did very well at Anfield, they came to produce a performance that kept them in the tie and that is what they achieved.
``But we also believe we can produce the result we want.''
Boss Gerard Houllier pinpointed Marseille's dangerman as Didier Drogba, the striker who scored the all-important away goal on Merseyside.
He said: ``He is a magnificent player, but Marseille are not only about him.
``In fact it was Fabien Barthez who saved them at Anfield with two brilliant late saves.''
"From ESPN"
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Marseille v Liverpool: Preview
PA
MARSEILLE, March 24 (UEFA Cup) - Marseille coach Jose Anigo has warned his side not to be fooled by the fact Michael Owen has ``only'' scored 14 goals so far this season.
Owen will lead Liverpool's attack in the UEFA Cup fourth-round second-leg in the Stade Velodrome, with the Anfield side knowing they have to score to stay in the competition after being held 1-1 on their own patch by Anigo's side a fortnight ago.
Quizzed on whether he felt Owen was short of top form at the moment, the French coach - who brushed aside talk of former Manchester United defender Laurent Blanc becoming the club's general manager soon - insisted the striker was still a real danger to his side.
Anigo said: ``Okay, he has only scored 14 this season - but in France that would be a big tally for any striker.
``And do not forget Owen has been injured for so long this season. He is a big player on this stage.
``He is a big danger to us, we have watched his performance in the game last week against Portsmouth on video when he scored twice, and believe he is in very good form.''
Owen has an outstanding scoring record in away European ties for Liverpool, and Anigo added: ``Their attack has great pace, we know we also have to be very careful of players like Harry Kewell and Milan Baros too.
``The strong point in Liverpool's game is their pace and we have to be very careful of that.
``They have quality players, far more than us, and that is shown by the level of player that they have only on the bench. We cannot match that.
``We do believe we have seen weaknesses, but they are few as far as I am concerned, and they are generally very strong in all departments.''
But Anigo added: ``Our tactics will be similar to the way we played at Anfield, and I know my players are motivated to get through this round.''
Liverpool expect to include French attacking midfielder Bruno Cheyrou, and the unpredictable young international said: ``I know what to expect at Marseille, I have played here a couple of times and understand what the atmosphere will be like.
``In fact I have played twice here and not lost.
``We know we have to score in this match, we know what is expected of us.
``Marseille did very well at Anfield, they came to produce a performance that kept them in the tie and that is what they achieved.
``But we also believe we can produce the result we want.''
Boss Gerard Houllier pinpointed Marseille's dangerman as Didier Drogba, the striker who scored the all-important away goal on Merseyside.
He said: ``He is a magnificent player, but Marseille are not only about him.
``In fact it was Fabien Barthez who saved them at Anfield with two brilliant late saves.''
"From ESPN"
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