Reds pleased to avoid rivals

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry today expressed his relief after the holders avoided Everton in the draw for the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

The reigning champions will play east European opposition if they finish off FBK Kaunas of Lithuania in next week’s second round, second leg at Anfield.

They lead 3-1 after the first leg and will next play KF Tirana of Albania or CSKA Sofia of Bulgaria if they progress, with the first leg set to be at home. CSKA are 2-0 ahead after the first leg of their second round tie.

Either club would present another long trip abroad for Liverpool’s much-travelled fans but at least they avoided a Merseyside derby against Everton, who face a fierce test on their Champions League debut against Villarreal of Spain.

Parry told Sky Sports: “Clearly when you are not given country protection the conspiracy theorists assume what is going to happen. I don’t think either club would have relished it.”

However, Parry warned his club would not be taking anything for granted in the second leg against Kaunas.

“We have still got a job to do so we will think about it (the draw) after Tuesday. We will gather information and we are taking each game as it comes, we are professional – we are used to it. We treat everyone with respect but not fear.”

Liverpool only won the competition two months ago and Parry admitted the defence of the trophy had started early.

“It is a long season but that is the price of success,” he said. “We would rather be playing a lot of games so that’s not a complaint from us.

“It’s better to have played a team who have come through the rounds than one who’s just come in but when you see what happened to Celtic in midweek you can’t take anything for granted.”

Villarreal will present a formidable test for David Moyes’ Everton team. They finished third in Spain's Primera Liga last season.

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright said: “It’s just lovely to be here in the draw. Twenty years ago we would have been here by right, year in year out, and then Heysel happened.

“So to come back here there is a part of you that feels we should be here anyway and another part that has to say it’s a miracle from miracle manager.”

Kenwright insisted Everton, who will play at home first, would have been happy to play their neighbours.

He added: “It wasn’t a question of relief; if we were going to play Liverpool then we were going to play them. We had decided that looking at the fact we weren’t seeded there were only two or three clubs who you might say that might be easier.

“A club that finishes up there in Spain just shows that Villarreal are very good and very tough opposition – but isn’t it great that we are playing them.”

Manchester United are expected to face Debrecen as the Hungarians lead Hajduk Split of Croatia 3-0 after their second round, first leg.

But United secretary Ken Ramsden said: “It could be either club. We don’t take anything for granted but it’s a real step into the unknown – there’s so much uncertainty.

“Debrecen have told us if they got a big team they would move the game to Budapest. It would be a big stage and a big pitch – but we will play where we are sent. We really wanted Shelbourne but that was unlikely.”

Ramsden admitted the Old Trafford club – who were also drawn to play at home first – are desperate to emulate their Champions League triumph of 1999.

He said: “For a club of our standing and history to win the competition twice is not what we perceive as acceptable. But Sir Alex Ferguson has an excellent squad.”

United have never played Debrecen before but will remember one of their worst European performances came against Hungarian opposition, a 1-0 defeat at Zalaegerszeg at the same stage in 2002. They won the return leg at Old Trafford 5-0.

Scottish champions Rangers face Trabzonspor of Turkey or Anorthosis Famagusta of Cyprus. The latter team lead 3-1 after the first leg.

Celtic would meet Serbian outfit Partisan Belgrade or Sheriff Tiraspol of Moldova if they were to pull off an unlikely comeback against Artmedia Bratislava, who they trail 5-0 from the first leg.

Shelbourne, who retain high hopes of reaching the third round after a goalless draw against Steaua Bucharest, will face Rosenborg of Norway if they progress.

The first legs of the third round will take place on August 9 or 10, with the return matches on 23/24.