UEFA CUP/ Liverpool v Marseille, Anfield, 8.00: Liverpool's supporters will lift their coloured cards before kick-off this evening to emblazon the word "allez" across the Kop.
Where, not long ago, the mosaic might have been an exasperated plea to be taken literally by those in the dug-out, now it reflects a club united behind its manager.
After the death threat and graffiti which have sullied the last month of a troubled campaign, Gerard Houllier and Liverpool appear to have emerged stronger. "There's a togetherness and closeness there now that hadn't been seen before this season," said the midfielder Danny Murphy. "Maybe the idiots have done us a favour by doing the things they did."
Tonight's visitors, Marseille, will not be thanking the dissonant voices for that. A police investigation into the death threat posted to Houllier earlier this year continues, though the manager has been opening a more upbeat mailbag in recent weeks. "Cards, letters, an incredible amount of support," he said.
Not that Houllier ever considered walking away from his position of six years.
"We've won trophies, we've still got a young side picking up experience, and they can still step up. All the support I've received just reinforces that determination not to walk away," he said.
As does Liverpool's form. There have been only two defeats in 16 matches, an impressive statistic which, if maintained, could yet yield a lengthy run in this competition as well as qualification for next season's Champions League. All of which puts the traumas of the last month into some perspective.
Marseille are enduring an inconsistent season. They are sixth in the French League, although a third-placed finish last term did afford them the brief luxury of Champions League football earlier this season, in which their Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba excelled.
The forward turns 26 today and scored his 21st goal of the campaign on Sunday, albeit in a 4-1 defeat to Bastia, whose second goal was scored by Aliou Diarra, on loan from Liverpool.
LIVERPOOL (4-1-3-2): Kirkland; Finnan, Hyypia, Henchoz, Carragher; Hamann; Murphy, Gerrard, Kewell; Owen, Baros.
MARSEILLE (3-4-1-2): Barthez; Beye, Hemdani, Meite; Ferreira, N'Diaye, Flamini, Dos Santos; Batlles; Mido, Drogba.
Referee: I Baskakov (Russia).
