Grudge matches are scarce in the Champions League, which has been unable to generate the rivalries that form the bedrock of domestic football's appeal, but tonight's “Rumble in the Ramblas” is one game that demands such a billing. Barcelona and Liverpool, two of Europe's great clubs, simply do not get on. Even Don King, the boxing promoter, would struggle to drum up the amount of vitriol and bitterness emanating from the Barcelona camp ahead of a match that neither side can afford to lose.
“I'd hate to play for Liverpool,” Frank De Boer, the Barcelona defender, said. “I wouldn't want to watch them either. I don't like the way they play. It's not attractive.” Patrick Kluivert, the forward, has aired similar views. The Catalan club's feelings go far deeper than mere disregard, their obsessive contempt stemming from the manner of their defeat in last season's Uefa Cup semi-final. To Barcelona, the beautiful game is precisely that; Liverpool's more pragmatic approach, they feel, amounts to a betrayal.
Barcelona's derisive attitude was initially met with bemused smiles at Liverpool, but talk of their “boring” or “negative” style, has become more than just an irritation. Phil Thompson, acting manager in Gérard Houllier's absence, bristles understandably whenever the subject is broached, but the winning formula, that which earned Liverpool a creditable if dour draw in the Nou Camp last April, is not one that will change.
“We will play exactly the same way we always play,” Dietmar Hamann, whose quiet efficiency in midfield epitomises Liverpool's approach, said. “We don't care what anyone else says about us. All we want is to play successful football. That is what we have produced over the last two years and it doesn't matter what anyone else says about us. All we're interested in is getting results. Nobody could argue against the fact that our style gets results.”
Even De Boer would have to concede that, but those tactics have yet to yield a victory in the second phase of the Champions League. A minimum of four points are needed from their two remaining matches, in the Nou Camp tonight and at home to AS Roma next Tuesday, if Liverpool are to progress to the quarter-finals. They have struggled to score goals throughout the competition, with only nine in ten matches, and with Michael Owen out with a hamstring injury once more, they will be the underdogs again tonight.
Barcelona have already gained revenge of sorts for that Uefa Cup semi-final defeat, coming from behind to win 3-1 at Anfield in November with a magnificent second-half performance, but they undoubtedly want to put Liverpool in their place.
“A lot has been made of last season's game,” Thompson said. “We've been condemned for it. We went there last season and, while our attacking play wasn't good, we defended very well. I don't see anything wrong with that whatsoever.
“We're not going there to try to shut anybody up. We respect Barcelona. We're going because we want to win and get through to the quarter-finals. We're here for the fans, not for anyone else, and we are here to win trophies. To be fair, we won five trophies last year. Is that the sign of a boring, negative team?” It is not, but Liverpool will have to find a new attacking dimension from somewhere if they are to get the result they need, and Vladimir Smicer, rather than Jari Litmanen, may be asked to provide it, operating behind Emile Heskey. Steven Gerrard's return after injury is welcome, but Houllier's imminent resumption of full-time managerial duties, five months after he underwent open-heart surgery, is an even greater fillip, according to Thompson.
“He wasn't able to travel with us, but I'm looking forward to the day he's back in the dugout with me,” Thompson said. “It would be great if he was here in Barcelona, because he loves the Champions League and occasions like this, and I know he wants us to be in the quarter-finals when he gets back. I just hope I can keep my part of the bargain.”
BARCELONA (possible; 4-2-3-1):
R Bonano — C Puyol, P Christanval, F de Boer, F Coco — Xavi, P Cocu — Luis Enrique, P Kluivert, Rivaldo — J Saviola.
LIVERPOOL (possible; 4-4-1-1): J Dudek — A Xavier, S Henchoz, S Hyypia, J Carragher — D Murphy, S Gerrard, D Hamann, J A Riise — V Smicer — E Heskey.
Referee: K Vassaras (Greece).
TELEVISION: ITV Sport, 7pm. Highlights, ITV1, 11.55pm.
Group B
RESULTS: Nov 20: Liverpool 1 Barcelona 3; Galatasaray 1 AS Roma 1. Dec 5: Barcelona 2 Galatasaray 2; AS Roma 0 Liverpool 0. Feb 20: Liverpool 0 Galatasaray 0; Barcelona 1 AS Roma 1. Feb 26: Galatasaray 1 Liverpool 1; AS Roma 3 Barcelona 0.
FIXTURES: Today: Barcelona v Liverpool; AS Roma v Galatasaray. Mar 19: Liverpool v AS Roma; Galatasaray v Barcelona.