Liverpool have edge

Gerard Houllier believes Liverpool's European experience will help them return to the Champions' League.

Liverpool face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in their final match of the season needing a victory to reach the Champions' League or a consolation prize of the Uefa Cup.

The Liverpool manager believes his side's European experience this season – 12 ties in two competitions – will give them the edge over a Chelsea team who were knocked out in the first round of the Uefa Cup by Viking Stavanger. "We've been to many countries and performed well in recent seasons," he said. "The good thing is that we know what we have to do."

Liverpool will be without Vladimir Smicer with a calf injury, while Dietmar Hamann is still having treatment on his shin. Steven Gerrard is expected to recover from a hip injury.