Reds aim to blunt Blades edge

LIVERPOOL insist they will rise above the acrimony that scarred the first leg of their Worthington Cup semi-final clash with Sheffield United and clinch another trip to Cardiff.

The Premiership side were suckered into a touchline war of words in the first leg away to the Blades when they lost control of the game and ended up losing 2-1.

Manager Gerard Houllier was incensed by the tactics of the Division One side, particularly a lunging tackle from Michael Brown which felled goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.

Afterwards, assistant boss Phil Thompson famously told Blades chief Neil Warnock: "Just wait until we get you back at our place."

Now Liverpool must put their courage where their mouth is and see off a hugely committed Blades side who are unbeaten in 15 games and followed up their victory over Liverpool by beating leaders Portsmouth and winning the Steel City derby against Sheffield Wednesday.

Houllier, after the first leg, hinted at his annoyance with the Blades' approach and Liverpool left Bramall Lane muttering darkly of underhand treatment. Now he is focused on the return leg and said: "If we perform well we will get our reward.

"The past is the past and we are focused on our game. I know what I can expect from them but there's one thing I'm sure about that our players will be extremely focused and show their value.

"There were some things I didn't like in the first match, in terms of comparisons of wages and the turnover of the club, that showed a lack of respect.

"But we will put that aside. I know what I can expect but I'm sure the players will be determined and professional and show a willingness to do things right."

Liverpool will be without suspended full-back Djimi Traore for the second leg.

But they will have Senegal midfielder Salif Diao returning from a one-match suspension.

Houllier's only other problem is the continued absence of midfielder Dietmar Hamann with a shin problem.

It is expected that John Arne Riise will revert to full-back in Traore's absence and Diao will return to midfield in a side unlikely to be changed much from the one that beat Southampton 1-0 on Saturday.

Houllier was furious about Brown's late tackle on Kirkland in the first leg and added: "They declared that Michael Brown's tackle wasn't a bad one. The referee said it wasn't a bad tackle and the fact is that my goalkeeper is still playing. The rest doesn't bother me.

"I don't think it will have an effect on the game. We need to go through, we want to go through and want to give our best shot. We will do that.

"I'm not bothered about Sheffield United. I expect what I can expect from them. But I'm very convinced we will be very professional and very determined with a greater desire to go to the final. It's a second leg and we know what we must do to qualify."

Kirkland, who was lucky to escape serious injury in that first leg, said: "We have a bit of a pay back to do after what happened in the first match.

"We're not calling it a revenge match or anything like that, but we are hoping for a three or four-nil win to put things right from the game at their place.

"We know it will be a tough match. Sheffield United haven't lost for 15 games and we all watched them on the TV on Friday when they came back from a goal down to win in their derby with Sheffield Wednesday.

"It should be a cracking match. It will be one of the biggest games I've been involved in and we can't wait."