Former champions Liverpool face visit to Israel

LONDON, July 28 (Reuters) Former European champions Liverpool were drawn to play Maccabi Haifa of Israel in the third qualifying round of the Champions League today, raising immediate security concerns for the English club.

Because of the security situation in Israel resulting from the conflict in Lebanon UEFA has written to the Israeli FA asking for added safety assurances for clubs due to play there.

The match will definitely not take place in Haifa, which is close to the conflict zone, but may go ahead in Tel Aviv or be moved to a neutral country.

The first leg is set for Anfield on August. 8 or 9 with Haifa at home in the second on either August 22 or 23.

AC Milan, another former winner in the qualifying round, will face either Cork City of Ireland or former champions Red Star Belgrade if UEFA decide next week that Milan can compete in the competition.

Milan's place has not yet been verified by UEFA because of their involvement in the Serie A match-fixing scandal.

Arsenal, beaten in last season's final by Barcelona, are likely to face Dynamo Zagreb of Croatia who have a 4-1 first leg led over Ekranas of Lithuania in their second qualifying round tie.

The second qualifying round will be completed next week. The 16 winners of the third qualifying round ties will advance to the group stage of the competition where they will join the 16 automatic qualifiers.

REUTERS dh kp1649