Merseyside rivals hope to avoid European derby

LIVERPOOL and Everton will be praying that the draw today does not transform the final Champions League qualifier into the most tense and dramatic Merseyside derby of all time.

The unique ruling which allowed Liverpool to defend their European crown came with the condition that they would be given no "country protection" and under UEFA's seeding system there is a one in 15 chance of the Reds being drawn against Everton.

Both clubs are desperate to avoid such a confrontation, for the prize for winning the two-legged final qualifying round would be a guaranteed €15 million for making the Champions League group stage.

Everton manager David Moyes has insisted it is wrong that two clubs from the same country could be drawn against each other in qualifying for Europe's elite club competition and only Everton is affected by Liverpool's lack of country protection.

Manchester United also need to qualify but as both they and Liverpool are seeded, they will avoid each other.

Moyes said: "I've got clear concerns about what might happen. Of course, the decision as to who is seeded or not is nothing to do with us.

"I do think that it's wrong that two clubs from the same country the same city could be drawn against each other in European competition at this stage.

"You qualify for the Champions League in order to play teams from another country, not your local rivals."

Everton are unseeded for the draw and can therefore face any of the 16 seeded teams apart from Manchester United.

The Toffees would do well to avoid Inter Milan, Werder Bremen, Ajax and Sporting Lisbon, as well as Liverpool.

Rangers and Celtic are both seeded, though the Hoops are all but out, and Everton might not relish a clash with Scottish opponents either.

Liverpool should they avoid their neighbours and Manchester United's progress is by no means assured either.

There are several strong potential opponents including Udinese of Italy and Spain's Real Betis. Slavia Prague from the Czech Republic will be no pushovers, nor will Shakhtar Donetsk from the Ukraine.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, whose side are 3-1 up against Kaunus after the first leg, said: "I have not been thinking about it, only about winning in Lithuania.

"I do not see the point in worrying about things that you cannot change."

The draw takes place at 11am today, followed by the second qualifying round draw, involving 62 clubs, for the UEFA Cup at 13.00pm.