Liverpool's season has already yielded so many contradictory signals that it is becoming difficult to denounce those who claim that a 36hour sojourn in balmy Spain may mark the start of a winter of discontent.

Certainly if a team assembled at such expense should be forced out by Valencia, who have recovered from a poor start in the Spanish League to climb into sixth place, there will be hell to pay.

But, as ever, the question remains, precisely who will pay for the indiscretions of a Liverpool team who seem to shudder whenever someone in high office seeks to preach the virtues of consistency?

Comfortable wins over Nottingham Forest and Fulham hinted at better times, yet on Saturday a bemused audience looked on incredulously as Leicester drove a Cottee and horses through the idea that normal service had finally been resumed.

Valencia were fortunate two weeks ago, insomuch as Gerard Houllier and Roy Evans opted to rest Michael Owen. It was a dreadful miscalculation and it will not be repeated tonight.

Owen will play alongside Robbie Fowler, who is recalled in place of Karlheinz Riedle who damaged a groin muscle at Leicester. The anticipated return of Jamie Redknapp after injury will help stiffen a midfield which has proved to be more belligerent than creative in recent weeks.

Liverpool's fate will certainly depend on their ability to defend, a facet of their game which has been polished up appreciably since the vastly experienced but snail-like Steve Staunton was moved from full-back to centre-back.