Thompson ready for Chelsea challenge

Chelsea, of course, defeated Liverpool in the final game of last season to claim a Champions League place at the expense of their opponents. Thompson admits that the painful memory of that defeat will prove to be a great motivation to Gerard Houllier's men come August 17.

Thompson said: "With what happened at the end of last season the opening fixture is ironic, but these things usually tend to happen in football.

"It is a big match to start with, it is one of the big games of the season, and we do have the drawback of being without Steven Gerrard because he is suspended. But I am sure all the players will be looking forward to the match.

"Everybody looks forward to the first game of the season. It is at home and against a team that pipped us for the Champions League so I am sure the players will be champing at the bit.

"They will be up for it because of what happened in the last game and they will be eager to get going."