Liverpool look to repeat UEFA Cup history with Barcelona

The matchup is repeat of the 1976 UEFA Cup semifinal, which Liverpool won 2-1 on aggregate on their way to lifting the trophy for the second and last time after beating Club Brugge KV.

Barcelona, who have won this title three times but not since 1966, were drawn to host the first leg on April 5 - just like 25 years ago.

Liverpool, who won the initial leg in Camp Nou 1-0 thanks to John Toshack's goal, will host the second leg on April 19.

The other semifinal is a matchup of underdogs as CD Alaves face Kaiserslautern.

Spanish side Alaves will host the first leg after having bounced Gaziantepspor, Lillestrom, Rosenborg, Inter Milan and compatriots Rayo Vallecano in their first season in a European competition.

Kaiserslautern are in the UEFA Cup semifinals for the second time in club history, following their 1982 appearance.

"If there was a desired opponent it would have been Alaves. That doesn't mean it will be easy," Kaiserslautern coach Andreas Brehme said. "I saw Alaves play against Barcelona. They have a good team. We have a slight advantage that we play on the road first."

"This is a good draw for us. Now we have a great chance to reach the final in Dortmund," said Kaiserslautern captain Mario Basler, whose penalty goal gave his club a 1-0 win on Thursday against PSV Eindhoven.

The final will be played May 16 in Dortmund's Westfalen stadium.

(kil/dpa)