The English road to Moscow

The more I watch UEFA's tedious, often farcical draws the more convinced I become that they are fixed.

I have no complaint's about our tie with Arsenal. Fair enough and good that we are home first leg.

But Manchester United have been handed Roma again and will be away in the first leg as they will be should they progress to the semi finals s where they will likely face Barcelona.

Chelsea have been handed a by to the semi finals by being drawn with Fenerbache and we could potentially face them at the semi final stage (where this time we will have to play the first leg at Anfield) for the third time in four years in this competition.

I am being ultra cynical here of course. I am sure the draws are not fixed but UEFA do so much messing around with their balls it's hard not to be skeptical.

Arsenal is a tough draw but in Europe we are a different animal even against the English sides. A solid performance at the Emirates and then bring them back to Anfield where absolutely anything can happen as we all know.

As mentioned, but not wishing to get ahead of ourselves, the winner of this tie will face Chelsea in the semi finals and with Manchester United likely to face Barcelona should both progress an all English final is a distinct possibility.

An all English final in Moscow is not particularly appealing for the authorities or the fans. UEFA's choice of venue is farcical once more, all bloody politics to keep everyone happy. When was the last time a Russian team did anything of note in this competition? Keep the final in central Europe, easily accessible for everyone.

Elsewhere today we have learned of Daniel Agger now being ruled out for the rest of the season with that same metatarsal problem that has sidelined him since September.

It is worrying that he has so many setbacks on the road to recovery and does nothing to allay message board rumours of his career being over. I'm sure it's not and hopefully the surgery will sort the problem out once and for a all. All the talk of modified boots wasn't particularly encouraging.

Another player who has modfied boots is Harry Kewell whose Liverpool career is likely at an end when his contract runs out at the end of the season. It's sad. Such an awesome player for Leeds and at certain times for us but injuries have ruined his spell at Anfield and probably his career. I can't see him ever hitting the heady heights again.

Reading at home tomorrow. We can afford no slip ups with a bruised Everton likely to take all three points at Fulham.

With Villa having dropped points in the week it would appear to be a straight battle between the Bitters and ourselves for fourth. Exciting times.