Källström keeps sentiment in check

Liverpool FC stir some evocative memories for Kim Källström, yet the Olympique Lyonnais midfielder is fully focused on helping his side into the UEFA Champions League first knockout round, even if that means eliminating his boyhood heroes in the process.

'Liverpool made me dream'
Victory at Anfield a fortnight ago has left Lyon on nine points in Group E, three clear of ACF Fiorentina and six above their visitors to the Stade de Gerland, who have lost their last two matches in the competition, part of a run of six defeats in seven games. A point is all that is required to assure the French side of progress, but Källström does not believe in a cautious approach, saying: "We'll go on to the pitch to win – that's the only thing we'll consider. When I was a child, Liverpool made me dream. The red shirt, Anfield, it's magnificent, but you can't think about that when you play at the top level."

Pressure on
Liverpool may have struggled of late but can perhaps take heart from Lyon's record against English visitors, with just one win in five home matches and none in the last four. "[Liverpool] can handle the pressure – they're a great team with great players and are used to these kind of games," added Källström, who returned to action in Saturday's 1-0 derby win at AS Saint-Etienne after ten days out with a groin strain. As for the prospect of finishing first in the section, the Swedish international said simply: "We'll see. It's too early to talk about that."

Injuries mounting
Defeat would leave Liverpool on the brink of elimination and to make matters worse inspirational captain Steven Gerrard is still missing with a groin injury while Fábio Aurélio (calf), Martin Škrtel (muscle), Glen Johnson (calf) and Martin Kelly (ankle) have also not travelled. Fernando Torres should start despite a hernia problem, however, and though Alberto Aquilani (virus), Daniel Agger (back) and David Ngog (ankle) are also doubtful, Källström prefers to concentrate on Lyon. "It's not our problem," he said. "It changes nothing for us. We want to win at home."

Promising omens
Liverpool have been here before. In 2007/08 Rafael Benítez's team took just one point from their first three group games, but won the next three to progress. "Two years ago, we were in the same situation and had a good reaction," said Dirk Kuyt, whose team have travelled back to Merseyside with a win from their last four trips across the Channel to France. "This period strengthened us. We can do it again. We were disappointed with the last defeat against Lyon at home but we still have a very good team. We are strong enough to beat Lyon. I'm confident."