Champions League: Redknapp set to lead Liverpool

There could be more than one comeback star as Liverpool prepare to inflict another heavy defeat on Finnish no-hopers Haka in the Champions League qualifier tonight.

Manager Gerard Houllier is almost certain to give club skipper Jamie Redknapp his first run-out in a starting line-up since his injury nightmare that wrecked last season for the England midfielder.

With Robbie Fowler - now back in the fold after his apology to Phil Thompson - also expected to return after his two-game disciplinary exile, Liverpool will find themselves with a couple of high-profile stars with something to prove.

Redknapp got on as a late substitute in Saturday’s 2-1 win over West Ham to a tremendous ovation from the Anfield crowd, and he seems likely to be leading out the side for the third qualifying round second leg against Haka, with a 5-0 lead already having assured Liverpool of a place in Thursday’s group stages draw in Monte Carlo.

Houllier said: "I’m delighted Jamie is back playing, he could well get a chance against Haka.

"He’s worked so hard to get himself fit again and he’s now getting his reward. It was an emotional moment for him when he went out onto the field as substitute."

Redknapp said: "I felt really good and the fans gave me a brilliant reception and now I want to play as often as I can."

He will join Fowler in the squad, along with Emile Heskey - who has overcome flu - as the third England men making his comeback. Markus Babbel is also expected to be fit after his own flu problems forced him off at half-time on Saturday.

Patrik Berger and Vladimir Smicer, with knee and Achilles injuries respectively, are not expected to play tonight or on Friday in the European Super Cup final against Bayern Munich. Houllier will make a late decision on Sander

Westerveld’s thigh injury, but he too may well be held back until the clash with the Germans.

Regardless, it will no doubt be Fowler who will take centre stage. The striker’s return to the Liverpool fold is probably the last thing Haka needed as they try to avoid being lambs to the slaughter in the Anfield march back to Europe’s elite.

An apologetic, chastened but no doubt inwardly-fuming Fowler is set to be plunged into the match at Anfield.

Houllier has demanded a "same again" Liverpool display. He said: "I would like the same attitude and display that the team produced in Helsinki. It is not often that this club has won 5-0 away in a European match and I don’t expect my players to do less."

The chances are that Michael Owen, who scored a hat-trick in the first leg, could be rested tonight with Friday’s Munich clash at Monaco’s Stade Louis II ground and next Monday’s Premiership game at Bolton in mind. That could mean Heskey and a frustrated and annoyed Fowler are likely to be in tandem.

Houllier added: "Complacency at Liverpool? Complacency about what, have we won the title yet, not as far as I know. You can’t be complacent in sport - if you do it is just like a cancer and you will die.

"We guard against, all the time, the prospect of becoming sloppy. No Liverpool player has a complacent attitude about any competition he’s involved in."