KING HOPING FOR FRENCH CONQUEST

Jimmy Rice 13 December 2006
Kop legend Kenny Dalglish is hoping Liverpool are pitted against Lille in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Dalglish declared the French outfit the weakest side left in the competition ahead of Friday's draw in Switzerland.

"Looking at the teams we can face, you'd have to take Lille or Celtic as the preferred option," he told LFC Magazine.

"Lille look like the weakest of the eight runners-up, and a trip to France would do nicely.

"Celtic have an impressive home record in European competitions but their record away from Parkhead is woeful.

"Roma didn't look too clever at the weekend, losing 3-0 to Lazio in the Rome derby, but they've played well in the group stages."

Dalglish hopes the Reds avoid a trip to Spain. He said: "You'd certainly prefer to avoid Barca and Real Madrid, but not because they aren't beatable.

You just want to make life as straightforward for yourself as possible for as long as you can."