Reds wary of Toulouse trek

CLUB secretary Bryce Morrison admits Liverpool are heading into unknown territory after the Reds were paired with Toulouse in the Champions League third qualifying round.

Liverpool, seeded for the draw alongside Arsenal, Celtic and Rangers, will first make the trip to France before the second leg a fortnight later at Anfield as they look to maintain their exemplary record in Europe since Rafael Benitez’s arrival.

The Reds have made the final in two of the last three seasons since, beating AC Milan in 2005 before the Rossoneri gained revenge in May.

However, they will have to negotiate a tricky tie in France although Morrison was not unhappy following yesterday’s draw in Nyon.

He said: “I think the draw could have been a lot worse for us.

“The French League is strong, we know very, very little about them. It’s a rugby town, it’s new ground for us because we haven’t played them before and new round for them because it’s the first time they have come into the competition at this stage.

“They will be really up for it.”

Toulouse coach Elie Baup got his wish after claiming on the eve of the draw that the Reds would be his preferred opposition.

Arsenal secretary David Miles admits their draw could have been worse after they were paired with Sparta Prague. Arsene Wenger’s side will travel to the Czech capital for the first leg as midfielder Tomas Rosicky gets the chance to face his former side.

Miles said: “I think we will be pleased with that, we have played Sparta Prague four times in the last six years in the group stages of the Champions League and are very much looking forward to the trip to Prague.”

Asked if the tie could have been worse, he responded: “It could have been — logistically, playing-wise, so we are going to be quietly pleased with that. We have a good working relationship with Sparta and it’s the same faces we know as two years ago.”

The Gunners triumphed in both meetings when the sides met in the Champions League group phase in 2005-06, winning 2-0 in Prague as Thierry Henry broke the club’s goalscoring record, and 3-0 back at Highbury.

Elsewhere, Celtic were handed a tricky tie with Spartak Moscow and Rangers will face Red Star Belgrade or Levadia Tallinn should they overcome FK Zeta in their second qualifying round. They hold a 2-0 lead after the first leg.

Striker Kris Boyd is refusing to consider their potential opponents until Rangers have booked their place in the next round.

Celtic will travel to Moscow for their first leg before returning to Glasgow and will be looking to emulate their efforts last year when they reached the last 16 before going out to eventual winners AC Milan after extra time in the second leg.

And in the UEFA Cup second qualifying round Drogheda United face Swedish side Helsingborgs.