Hamann makes first start of the season

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier made two significant changes to his side for this UEFA Cup second round second leg at Anfield.

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier made two significant changes to his side for this UEFA Cup second round second leg at Anfield.

Danny Murphy and Emile Heskey were consigned to the bench with Dietmar Hamann making his first appearance of the season in midfield alongside Steven Gerrard, while French teenager Florent Sinama-Pongolle came in for his European start.

Chris Kirkland continued in goal while slight doubts through minor injuries to John Arne Riise and Vladimir Smicer confined them to substitute roles.

The Romanians fielded the same team that drew 1-1 with Liverpool in the first leg, a match played on a swamp of a pitch. Tonight's Anfield perfect surface will no doubt suit both sides better.