Sparta Prague's Marek Matejovsky warns Liverpool ahead of Europa League tie

24 February 2011 10:48
Sparta Prague midfielder Marek Matejovsky has warned Liverpool they face opposition of Premier League class in their Europa League clash at Anfield. [LNB]Matejovsky, who once plied his trade in the top flight with Reading, returns to England for the second leg of the last 32 tie on Thursday. [LNB] Sparta held the Reds to a scoreless draw in the Czech Republic last weeks, and Matejovsky is predicting another tough night for Kenny Dalglish's men. [LNB] Closely fought: Matejovsky (left) tussles with Raul Meireles last week[LNB]He said: 'I have mentioned it before, I believe Sparta could play in the Premier League. [LNB]'The standard of the leagues is incomparable but I believe we are good enough for this Premier League.[LNB] [LNB]Blow: The Reds will be without skipper Steven Gerrard for the clash on Thursday due to injury[LNB]'We all know the atmosphere here is usually great. I don't know if it is the best but it is going to be very loud. But there are no excuses for us. We just have to do our best on the pitch. We are going to concentrate on our orders from our coach and see how it goes.'[LNB] Matejovsky, 29, scored a sensational long-range goal at Anfield for Reading in March 2008, but is hoping to take better memories away from Liverpool this time round after the Royals slumped to a 2-1 defeat that day. [LNB]'Of course I would like to score again but the most important thing is to fulfil our hope of getting through.[LNB] 'Even though I scored here last time, we lost. If you score and you lose, it is not the best memory.[LNB] 'I do remember the goal but it is not the only goal I have ever scored so I don't live in the past.' [LNB] Gerrard unlikely to face Sparta as Liverpool skipper rests muscle injuryHazard warning to Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool: I'd rather play in SpainI've no worries about Joe: Cole will come good at Liverpool, says DalglishAll the latest Liverpool FC news, features and opinion[LNB]  Explore more:People: Kenny Dalglish, Steven Gerrard Places: Liverpool, Prague, United Kingdom, Czech Republic

Source: Daily_Mail