Parry hopes Basle's upsets are over

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry is hoping underdogs Basle do not produce another upset in the Champions League.

The Swiss outfit stunned Celtic in last night‘s qualifying round second leg match, dumping Martin O‘Neill‘s men out with a 2-0 success.

Basle were drawn in Group B in Monaco earlier today, alongside seeded side Valencia, of Spain and Russian outfit Spartak Moscow.

And Parry said: “A trip to Moscow is never easy and Basle have just had a great result against Celtic. I’m sure under Christian Gross they will be no pushover.

“We are just delighted to be in the competition – and we don’t fear anyone.”

Former Liverpool defender Tommy Smith earlier said on Sky Sports News he fancied Gerard Houllier‘s team to progress from the first group stages.

He said: “Valencia are a really good side, while Spartak are a bit unknown - but have been good in the past, so I would fancy Liverpool to beat them.

“But Basle have beaten Celtic so it’s not going to be easy for Liverpool.

“I think they’ve got a bit of difficulty coming up – but I can still see them going through with Valencia.”

The Reds will start their campaign in Spain on September 17, with arguably the toughest match in the group, away to Valencia.

Next up is a home clash with Basle, before Spartak Moscow visit Anfield a week later before the three-week break in Champions League action.

The games resume on October 22 with a trip to Moscow, and a home match with Valencia follows the following week before Liverpool travel to Switzerland for their final group match on November 12.