On the eve of Liverpool-OM, the English side’s traditional press conference took place at Anfield Road. The Reds are wondering which Marseille will show up on Wednesday…

Tradition is everywhere when you enter Anfield. Even after morning training for Marseille’s hosts and the traditional pre-match press conference, the place revealed all its charm. At the entrance, the memorial to the fans that lost their lives at Hillsborough Stadium in 1989, in the press room the various trophies and presents received from various clubs over decades of European adventure. Amongst them, that of OM from 2004 but also a certain Champions League, won five times by the club. Captain Sami Hyypia and Coach Rafael Benitez faced up to the media.

“European nights are very special here at Anfield,” said Hyypia. “Tomorrow it might be an advantage, and I hope that every opponent that comes here is aware of it.” After the opening draw against Porto, 1-1, Liverpool need all three points as they take on OM. “We can say that we need to win, but if we don’t win it won’t be the end of the world,” added Benitez. “But of course, we’ll be playing to win.”

While few think Liverpool will slip up on their way through the group, the Reds themselves are wary of OM, and wonder just which Marseille side will actually show up on Wednesday.

“We know that they’ve just changed their coach, that they’ve had ten days to prepare for this match and that their start to the season hasn’t been great,” continued Benitez. “We all know Gerets from Galatasaray, but I think he probably has a better quality squad now. If he can manage to change the group’s mentality, they could be a very good side. If a team concentrates on the Champions League because things are not working in the league then they can become a dangerous opponent.”