British giants to meet in Europe

Arsenal and Liverpool are to meet in the quarter finals of the Champions League, whilst Manchester United face Roma and Chelsea will play Fenerbache. The other tie will be Barcelona against Schalke.

All ties are to be played on 1/2 April and 8/9 of April.

The winners of the Arsenal-Liverpool showdown - the first time those two clubs will have met in European competition - will then take on Chelsea or Fenerbahce in the semi-finals, while Manchester United or Roma face Barcelona or Schalke 04.

The legs for the last-four ties will take place on 22/23 April and 29/30 April.

It means if Chelsea overcome Fenerbahce in their quarter-final, not only could they face their semi-final conquerors of 2005 and 2007 in Liverpool but also that England would be guaranteed a presence in the final in Moscow on 21 May.

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry could barely hide his disappointment at having to play the Gunners, saying: "We'd hoped to avoid an English team but an all-English tie was bound to happen and it's happened to us. At least we've avoided a trip to Turkey.

"We're also playing Arsenal in the league in between the quarter-final legs so that will be interesting. I don't think there will be any surprises for either side in those games.

Of course, we've noticed we might also face another English side (Chelsea) in the last four as well."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: "We have the holders and the finalists on our route, having just knocked Milan out which was a big hurdle.

"We were strong enough to knock the holders out so lets do it against Liverpool.

"I said ideally you would like to pay a foreign team because it's Europe but I prepared myself to play anyone. We are highly determined to go through."

Manchester United club secretary Ken Ramsden said: "It's a good draw for us, I think. I'm happy we're playing continental opposition and we have a good record against them.

"I'm sure the manager will also be happy that we're playing at home in the second leg so we're content with that."

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon was equally happy to have avoided an English side in the draw, adding: "I'm delighted.

"There are no easy draws at this stage but we wanted to avoid an English side and we've done that.

"Despite a couple of disappointing results of late, we've complete confidence in the team and coaching staff to ensure we have a good end to the season."