TNS hoping to meet Reds

Last updated : 23 June 2005 By Al Campbell
TNS, who offered to meet Liverpool in a one-off play off for a Champions League place before the Reds were granted entry by UEFA, are one of twelve teams Liverpool can meet in tomorrow's draw.

TNS chairman Mike Harris wants to meet the Reds as it will guarentee his club a bumper pay-day.

Harris said: "There are pros and cons to meeting Liverpool, whom we have a one in 12 chance of meeting.

"Clearly it would be a fantastic draw in terms of gate receipts and the interest in the tie would be enormous.

"If we took the game to the Millennium Stadium, we would get a bumper crowd.

"It would be Liverpool's first game since winning the European trophy.

"On the other hand, meeting the European champions means it would be difficult for us to proceed to the next stage.

"There are four or five other clubs we could meet whom I'm convinced we could compete with on an even keel in the early stages of the competition.

"I'm sure Liverpool would prefer to meet us, than some of the east European teams they might draw.

"But part of the glamour and fun of this competition is the travelling.

"So, much as we want Liverpool, we would be happy whoever we met, apart perhaps from Dinamo Tblisi."

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