Seven days ago Liverpool were at a low ebb following a run of three successive home defeats, while Celta Vigo were sitting at the top of Spain's Primera Division after a 2-1 win over the mighty Real Madrid.

But the fortunes of the two clubs have changed, making Wednesday's UEFA Cup third round tie a hard one to predict.

Liverpool produced some superb flowing football to win 4-2 at FA Premier League leaders Aston Villa on Saturday and striker Robbie Fowler returned to form with a hat-trick.

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Celta, by contrast, suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at Alaves which brought a ten-game unbeaten run to an end and also enabled Mallorca to take over on top of the Spanish league.

But they knocked out Villa in the previous round and aim to put that result behind them by exploiting Liverpool's defensive frailties, despite the absence of suspended skipper Rafael Berges.

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier has been plagued by problems at the back this season - but he said he has no immediate plans to sign AZ 67 Alkmaar defender Peter Wijker.

After watching the £3m-rated Dutchman in action against Sparta Rotterdam on Sunday, Houllier said: "We will not be making a move just yet but keep monitoring his performances and see how he progresses."

Liverpool are still adjusting to life under Frenchman Houllier following the recent departure of joint manager Roy Evans, but Fowler believes the change will ultimately prove beneficial.

"It is probably a good thing that we have just one manager now. Roy did a brilliant job, but that's football - one minute you are here and the next you are gone. We now have to give Gerard everything we can," the England international said.

"As for me, it was great to get a hat-trick and I beleive there is more to come. If people think that's a message to the rest of the Premiership and Europe, they are not wrong."

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The Merseyside club have never lost a European tie in Spain, a record they preserved against Valencia in the last round when they won through on away goals.

Celta are expected to pose a bigger threat and the ability of Fowler and Michael Owen to conjure up an away goal may be crucial.

"Robbie has come back from a long injury and has worked very hard to get himself back to fitness again, and is now working tremendously well for the whole team," said coach Houllier.

"I'm so pleased for him that he got those goals after a spell when it wasn't really going for him. But I knew it would all come back at some stage. All we had to do was to trust him and be patient, support him and encourage him and the goal touch would return."