Fearless Alaves Bid to Frustrate Liverpool Treble Chance
"On some occasions the will to win is more important than the skill to win," Houllier said after Liverpool's 2-1 victory over an arsenal side that out-played them for long periods in Saturday's FA Cup Final in Cardiff.
Liverpool, who have won the European Cup four times, the UEFA Cup twice and will be bidding to win their third trophy of the season, start as strong favorites against an Alaves Side in their first European campaign.
But on Wednesday they will come up against a team confident in their own ability and fearlessly determined to land their first trophy in their fourth season of successive improvement.
"It's true that Liverpool are more used to this type of game than us," said Alaves coach Jose Manuel Esnal, who is known as Mane.
"But we will line up against them with absolutely no fear. We're conscious of our own modest status but our morale will be at a peak going into the final."
SUBHEAD: Faith
Mane confounded the pundits in Spain, who predicted he would jump ship at the end of the season, by signing a one-year extension to his contract at the small Basque Club.
That show of faith has raised hopes in Vitoria that Alaves are in the process of building something for the future.
Victories over Inter Milan in the fourth round and Kaiserslautern in the semifinals, the latter by a staggering 9-2 aggregate, have demonstrated their ability and in goalkeeper Martin Herrera and 21-goal striker Javi Moreno they have two of the most highly regarded players in Spain.
But they have yet to come up against a side as well organized and full of confidence as Houllier's Liverpool, who are two wins away from claiming success on four fronts.
Saturday's victory over arsenal brought their second trophy of the season, following another win in Cardiff against Birmingham City in the League Cup.
The side have also managed to stay on course for a place in the Champions League.
Victory over Charlton on the final day of the season would secure third place in the Premier League and achieve the primary goal of the current campaign.
But it is in the run to their first European final since 1985 that Liverpool have really impressed this season.
Victories over Olympiakos, Roma, Porto and Barcelona have shown that Houllier's quiet revolution is taking shape and brought the team cautious comparison with the great sides of the 1970s and 80s.
SUBHEAD: Return
Alaves's hopes of bringing Liverpool's run to an end will be boosted by the return of Jordi Cruyff, Oscar Tellez, Delfi Geli and Ivan Alonso.
They were all left out of the starting line-up for Friday's 2-1 defeat against a Deportivo Coruna side that played 75 minutes with 10 men.
Houllier faces tougher decisions over his selection after Saturday's erratic display against Arsenal.
The introduction of Gary McAllister just after the hour mark gave a more fluent look to the Midfield and the Veteran Scot should start against Alaves.
Robbie Fowler may also be recalled to play alongside Saturday's two-goal hero Michael Owen, with Emile Heskey dropping down to the bench.
Alaves are well aware of the threat Liverpool pose but they refuse to be overawed by the prospect of Wednesday's mismatch in terms of reputation.
"Liverpool's success this year has been based on solid defense, a competitive spirit and great quality, with Owen, Fowler and Heskey Up Front," said Mane.
"But we know after our wins against Inter Milan and Kaiserslautern that we can beat anyone.
"Sometimes a game can come along at just the right time."
SUBHEAD: Possible Teams
Alaves: 1-Martin Herrera; 2-Cosmin Contra, 5-Antonio Karmona, 6-Oscar Tellez, 7-Delfi Geli; 14-Jordi Cruyff, 15-Ivan Tomic, 16-Hermes Desio, 3-Ibon Begona; 19-Ivan Alonso, 9-Javi Moreno.
Liverpool: 1-Sander Westerveld; 23-Jamie Carragher, 2-Stephane Henchoz, 12-Sami Hyypia, 6-Markus Babbel; 17-Steven Gerrard, 21-Gary McAllister, 16-Dietmar Hamann, 15-Patrick Berger; 9-Robbie Fowler, 10-Michael Owen.
Referee: Gilles Veissiere (France).