UEFA Cup: Liverpool boss plays down match hype
Liverpool boss Gérard Houllier has played down talk that his side have already done the hard work by securing a 2-0 victory against Roma last week.
He said on the club's website: "The first half hour will be very interesting. They have nothing to lose and there is no pressure on them.
"If you talk to any member of my team they will tell you they rate Roma very highly. They are still a very good team.
"Our win over there has not subdued our evaluation of their strengths. They are still one of the best sides in Europe and we were lucky with our first goal over there, even though Michael took it very well.
"The score as it stands does not affect how we approach the game. We are a goalscoring team but we must have the right tactical approach for a game in which they have nothing to lose. We want to build on what we have."
Meanwhile Roma's Fabio Capello insisted his side would play to win in Liverpool tonight - despite claims that the Italians were more interested in securing the Italian league title this season.
Roma trail the Reds after the first leg in Italy last week, but Capello insisted his side could still turn the tie around.
He said: "We are not just here for show but to win the game and get a result that takes us through.
"In the first leg Liverpool played a good match but we allowed them to play as they prefer. They had a good, blocked defence and counter-attacked. It is what they do in the league.
"We gave Liverpool a present of a goal but you never know what can happen in football. It is fundamental we get an early goal but also vital that we don’t allow Liverpool to get one. I have a lot of faith in my team."
