Liverpool have hit the jackpot with a Champions League draw that could open the door to a £30 million bonanza.

And Pete Mahon's Bohemians side could meet glamour-side Anderlecht in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round after yesterday's draw in Nyon, Switzerland - if they can get past Halmstad BK of Sweden in the second qualifying round. Anderlecht must also first eliminate Shefrif Tiraspol of Moldova, to make this dream tie a reality for the Dalymount Park outfit.

Liverpool, the UEFA Cup holders came into the Champions League in yesterday's draw hoping to avoid any of the big teams that could make their lives tough as they bid to reach the lucrative group stages.

Their wish was granted with a tie against either Finnish side FC Haka or Israel's champions Maccabi Haifa.

Victory would put Liverpool on their way back into Europe's elite, where champions Bayern Munich picked up almost £30 million for winning last season's tournament.

Liverpool will be away first, on either August 7th or 8th, with the second leg at Anfield on Tuesday, August 2nd.

Although Liverpool were seeded to avoid the might of giants like Barcelona and Lazio - who also entered at the same stage - there was a minefield of potential tough ties to avoid.

Celtic, for example, must play Ajax while Rangers could end up playing Turkish club Fenerbahce.

The draw has given Liverpool a great chance to reach the lucrative group stages of the Champions League for the first time.

And the riches that qualification opens up are what Liverpool desperately need to be able to reclaim their position as a major European power.

The sort of money on offer is mind-blowing. Last season's European champions Bayern Munich, picked up an astonishing £28.5 million from prize money and their part of the TV cash.

Manchester United, knocked out in the quarter finals, claimed £15.86 million, while Leeds United - a more realistic comparison with Liverpool as both have qualified from third spot in the Premiership in successive seasons - scooped £5.25 million from reaching the semi-finals. Just for winning the third qualifier and reaching the group stages, Liverpool will claim £1 million. If they get past the first group stage, they will land another £2.4 million.

Every match a team plays in the tournament nets £400,000 and the prize money alone for winning the cup is £11 million.

This is the sort of cash Liverpool will be throwing away if the unthinkable happens and they go out in their third qualifying round tie.

They will have to wait to see whether it is to Finland or Israel they will have to travel, until after the second qualifying round, which is scheduled for July 25th and August 1st.

The Finnish club are at home in the first leg of that tie. The Finns had a comfortable 5-0 aggregate win over Valletta from Malta in the first qualifier, while Maccabi came into the competition in the second qualifier.