The Merseysiders are trailing the third leg tie 3-1 after being routed in emphatic fashion in the first leg in Spain a fortnight ago.

And frontman Fowler will captain the understrength side in the absence of Paul Ince, Steve McManaman and Jamie Redknapp - all of whom are suspended.

Manager Gerard Houllier, who preferred Fowler to experienced defender Steve Staunton, explained: "I've chosen Robbie because he is a Liverpool figurehead. He has come back so well from a long injury and is nearing his best shape.

"It's my decision, and I have chosen the man and his character. I don't think he needs this gesture from my part to underline how important he is to us.

"He knows exactly how I stand with him, how much I rely on him not just for this season but the following seasons too."

Houllier turns to youth

But the odds are not on Houllier's side. Not only is he without Ince, Redknapp and McManaman, but Norwegian full-back Vegard Heggem is also banned.

At least the French boss now has Jason McAteer, Karlheinz Riedle and Steve Harkness available again after injury.

And he will be forced to turn to youngsters David Thompson, Danny Murphy and Stephen Gerrard, who made his debut at Spurs last Saturday.

Owen, who scored in the first leg, will be expected to repeat his efforts

However, Anfield's slim hopes of a two-goal victory will be pinned on another teenager - Michael Owen.

The England frontman may only be 18, but he has packed a great amount of football experience into his short career - and he believes Celta Vigo's stunning first leg display is about as good as it gets.

"They were a great team, one of the best teams I have ever played against, but we can't wait to get them back at Anfield," he said.

"I don't think any team would relish coming to our ground and getting something. We know we have to beat them, and beat them by two goals.

"It's a big problem if they score early, we know that because it will virtually kill the tie. But we are putting a lot of emphasise on keeping a clean sheet these days and we know we always have a chance of scoring a couple.

"If we get one in the first half or early on, and maybe shooting into the Kop second half, you would bank on us scoring a couple more."

Celta coach Victor Fernandez, who led his team to a 3-1 victory at Aston Villa earlier in the competition, will have his defence strengthened by the return from suspension of Michel Salgado.