Haifa hoping to shock

Last updated : 07 August 2006 By Al Campbell
Liverpool play the Israeli side at Anfield in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier on Wednesday. Maccabi boss Roni Levy admits the Reds are clear favourites but is hopeful of causing a shock or two.

"Drawing Liverpool means coming full circle for us. We should have played them three seasons ago when we qualified for the third qualifying round having beaten Haka of Finland, but were then thrown out of the competition because of an ineligible player," said Levy.

"I have also memories of meeting Benitez before. He was in charge at Valencia when we drew in Spain. The odds are against us but sometimes when you catch a big club early on the season you can produce a shock."