Anelka: FA Cup danger man (StuForster/Allsport)

Yet, despite the ever-present threat of European Footballer of the Year Michael Owen, Bruce earmarked his potential partner as the main danger.

'Nicolas Anelka is like an express train. He's lightning quick,' said Bruce, whose team will be cheered on by 10,000 fans.

'I'm hoping that we don't see the best of him because it normally takes players like him a few games to really pick up their sharpness.

'With Michael Owen to complement him, there is no way you are going to catch either if they get away. When they've had a bit of time to get to know each other, I think it is a combination that will work.

'I wasn't surprised when Liverpool decided to sell Robbie Fowler. He had 18 months left on his contract and, as a manager, you look at things a bit differently.

'He had made it clear he didn't want to re-sign and that leaves the club in a very difficult position. But I think it will prove a correct decision. You have to look at the replacement they have brought in.'

The meeting of the two clubs is a repeat of last season's Worthington Cup Final, a match which still holds bitter memories for City chairman David Gold.

Gold believes the time is ripe for Birmingham to exact revenge for what he sees as a case of daylight robbery, when Liverpool defender Stephane Henchoz appeared to trip Andrew Johnson in the penalty area in extra time with the score at 1-1 at the Millennium Stadium.

Referee David Elleray waved play on and Liverpool went on to win the game on penalties.

Gold said: 'I don't know how Liverpool can sleep at night. They are sitting up there with stolen property. But I've got a message for them: don't field a soft team and underestimate us because we feel hard done-by.

'We want revenge for what happened. We know we are playing a team that is up there with the best but we are stronger, too.

'No- one gave us a chance in Cardiff and we did ourselves and the city proud. But we did not have the luck on the day. Our people are up for revenge.'

The victory in Cardiff was the first part of Liverpool's cup treble and, having been knocked out of this season's competition by Grimsby, they prepare to launch the defence of their other domestic trophy with caretaker-manager Phil Thompson earning generous praise from his midfielder Steven Gerrard.

Thompson's forthright approach to player communication has led to the occasional conflict within Liverpool's dressing room - most notably in the build-up to this season's Charity Shield when a train-ing-ground flare-up with Fowler resulted in the striker being dropped from Gerard Houllier's squad.

But the abrasive edge that often prompts comparisons with a sergeant- major was warmly welcomed by Gerrard yesterday.

The England star had, by his own admission, lost his knack of taking games by the scruff of the neck after helping his home club to the Premiership summit and needed a dressing-down from Thompson to intensify his efforts.

With admirable candour, the 21-year-old confessed that Liverpool's rotation policy had nothing to do with his demotion to the bench for the recent 1-1 draw at West Ham after he had spent much of December in a slump that baffled him as much as his vast army of admirers.

It was entirely down to a deliberate ploy by Thompson that reaped instant dividends and could be instrumental in landing Liverpool a place in the fourth-round draw.

Gerrard, who scored on his return in the home draw with Bolton on New Year's Day, said: 'I'm not going to try and dress it up and say I was rested. I was dropped and it was exactly the kick up the backside I needed. Phil Thomspon spoke to me before the West Ham game and told me I was being left out.

'He said it was up to me to get back to doing what was needed and I appreciated his honesty. He was straight with me and it made me determined to play better.

'I had not been at my best and it is something that happens to all players. I was trying hard to play better but nothing seemed to work. I just could not get myself out of it.

'I don't know what the problem was, other than my confidence was in need of a boost.