Pool boss sees good omen in tough UEFA draw

LIVERPOOL manager Gerard Houllier believes his side could not have been handed a tougher draw than Steaua Bucharest in the UEFA Cup second round – but sees a positive omen in the pairing.

Steaua knocked out Southampton in the first round and this tie could prove tricky for the Reds. But it was a trip to Bucharest in 2000 which set Liverpool on the way to winning the UEFA Cup.

Houllier said: “I know we will not be playing the same club this time, but for the first tie of the season we won the trophy, we had to overcome a difficult match there against Rapid Bucharest. Maybe this is an omen because we ended up winning the tournament that season.