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We donīt fear Liverpool says Porto coach Ferreira
Topic Started: Sep 17 2007, 07:31 PM (26 Views)
Papa Lazarou Liverpool
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Always business,never personal.
"We donīt fear Liverpool says Porto coach Ferreira

Porto manager Jesualdo Ferreira has warned Liverpool that his side will show no fear when they face the five-time European champions on Tuesday.

Ferreira acknowledges that Liverpool are one of the strongest teams in the Champions League, but he is convinced Porto are capable of claiming a notable victory in their opening Group A tie at the Dragao Stadium.

Liverpool can boast impressive pedigree in Europe's elite club competition. They were runners-up last season and won the tournament in 2005, as well as holding the title four times between 1977 and 1984.

Rafa Benitez's side are unbeaten this season and arrived in Portugal on Monday as firm favourites to win the group.

But Ferreira sees no reason why the Portuguese champions should be intimidated by the likes of Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt.

"Liverpool has been growing a lot stronger in the last four years," Ferreira said. "They are a very competitive team in England and one of the best in Europe. But every team loses matches at some point.

"In the last four years Porto and Liverpool have both won the Champions League. So the past is just old stories. There are no favourites in this match."

Ferreira knows a victory over Liverpool would be the perfect start to their 13th Champions League campaign, but he doesn't regard the match as a must-win tie.

French club Marseille and Turkey's Besiktas make up the rest of the group and Ferreira insists Porto can qualify even if they lose to Benitez's team.

He said: "Of course it's very important to win tomorrow because it's a short competition. But it isn't fundamental. We could win the first game and then lose the next five.

"Porto can defeat any team. We have that capability. But the objective is not just the game tomorrow but to reach the next phase.

If Porto do beat Liverpool it is safe to say Ricardo Quaresma will have played a key role.

Quaresma, 23, was targeted by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho as a replacement for Arjen Robben just before the transfer window closed at the end of August.

Mourinho offered eight million pounds plus Paulo Ferreira for the Portugal winger, but Porto told the Premier League club they would not accept less than 25 million pounds and the deal collapsed.

Quaresma was happy to stay with Porto and his manager is confident the playmaker will use Liverpool's visit to showcase his talent.

"The only thing that is important is that Quaresma will play at 100 percent tomorrow," Ferreira said. "He is a big player for us and everything else that is going on around him doesn't matter."

Liverpool are likely to adopt their usual cautious approach to a European awayday and Porto midfielder Lucho Gonzalez wants his club's fans to make it an uncomfortable evening for Benitez's men.

The Portuguese club have never lost at home to English opponents in nine attempts. Lucho is certain his side can extend that record if the Dragao is rocking on Tuesday night.

"We know how Liverpool plays. They are very good on the counter-attack and have a strong defence, but we think we are ready," Lucho said.

"We have our own ideas and if we play well we will have the chances to win.

"I hope the stadium is full and the supporters will put a lot of pressure on Liverpool."

Ferreira will be without Brazilian goalkeeper Helton after he failed to recover from a knee injury that kept him out of Porto's win over Maritimo on Saturday, with Hugo Ventura set to deputise."

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chilli sauce Liverpool
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Premier League
well its not a foregone conclusion by any stretch of the imagination. i will be happy to avoid defeat or a scrappy one nil to us. the porto team will be playing to the crowd and the ref, we have to stay disciplined and not get wound up.
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Fred Liverpool
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Hooked on Monkey Phonics
None of the teams in the group worry me, we're good enough to come through the group unbeaten, but this will be the toughest game.
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rafasredangel Liverpool
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Future Oscar winner!
Happily take a draw from this, toughest game.
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roy Liverpool
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Joe Le Taxi
EASY :unsure:
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