Amid the understandable scenes of euphoria which followed Liverpool's magnificent victory over Roma last Thursday evening, the voice of caution which rose up yesterday to appeal for some sense of perspective boasted not a scouse but a French accent.

As those around him discussed whether it would be Porto or Nantes in the UEFA Cup semi-final, Gerard Houllier cut a decidedly uncomfortable figure.

"They are not done yet," he said pondering the enviable riches available to his opposite number, Fabio Capello.

Liverpool's performance en route to a 2-0 win in the Olympic stadium was remarkable, but Houllier is experienced enough to acknowledge that it is improbable that Roma will play with such a pronounced sense of lethargy a second time.

Capello's desire to land the Serie A title is such that it is believed he actually regards the UEFA Cup as something of an annoying irritant. Perhaps. Capello may be wearing blinkers but, nonetheless, he is not shortsighted enough to believe that any Roma team can be dumped out of any competition without ramifications.

With Sunday's League Cup final in mind, Houllier may well decide to make changes, possibly using Emile Heskey as a lone striker.

Roma will be lacking at least three key players with Francesco Totti suffering from flu, Cafu injured and Emerson suspended. Despite Capello's problems, the Argentinian striker Gabriel Batistuta is likely to begin the evening on the bench.

LIVERPOOL (probable, 4-4-1-1): Westerveld; Babbel, Hyypia, Henchoz, Carragher; Barmby, Hamann, McAllister, Ziege; Smicer; Heskey.

ROMA (probable, 3-4-1-2 ): Antonioli; Samuel, Rinaldi, Zebina; Bovo, Tommasi, Zago, Candela; Nakata; Montella, Delvecchio.