SOCCER: Liverpool (0) v Sparta Prague (0)JOE COLE will be handed the chance to restart his Liverpool career against Sparta Prague tonight with Kenny Dalglish reluctant to risk Steven Gerrard's fitness for the sake of the club's Europa League ambitions.

Gerrard has not played since damaging an adductor muscle in the win at Chelsea on February 6th and, despite returning to training, is not expected to start the second leg tie against the Czech champions. Liverpool sorely lacked creativity in last week’s goalless draw in Prague but Dalglish will not rush his captain’s recovery ahead of Premier League fixtures against West Ham and Manchester United.

“We can’t put any extra pressure on a player to play because it’s a European night,” said Dalglish. “We’ve got a lot of games between now and the end of the season and we want Steven to play in as many as possible. If it means taking a risk with him and losing him for the rest of the season, we are not going to do that.”

Gerrard’s absence offers Cole an opportunity to make his first start under Dalglish and in his favoured central role. The former Chelsea forward suffered a knee injury shortly after Dalglish’s arrival but, despite making little impact this season, retains the confidence of his manager.

Dalglish said: “Joe’s got the ability to open up a can of beans. He’s done nothing but good over the last few weeks when he’s been fit enough to train. It’s not a tap you can turn on and off. Even hot water takes a while to come through so, for Joe, it’s not fair for us to judge him right now.”

Despite being in an unfashionable competition and kicking off at 6pm, tonight’s match has captured the imagination of Liverpool fans, who sense a resurgence under Dalglish.

GuardianService