Fowler on the bench

Robbie Fowler is likely to begin Liverpool's European Cup-Winners' Cup second round, first leg against Sion in Switzerland tonight on the bench after missing three matches and being pulled out of the England squad because of an ankle injury.

Fowler took part in an afternoon training session at the Tourbillon stadium yesterday - he and the rest of the 18-man squad will have another training session today, but Patrik Berger and Stan Collymore are almost certain to retain their places in the starting line-up.

The Liverpool manager, Roy Evans, said: "We will wait and see if there is a reaction and then see how Robbie is. We won't take a chance with him and I will make a decision on the day."

Sion are still pushing for honours, something their coach, Alberto Bigon, knows all about. He was in charge of Napoli - and Maradona - when they won Serie A in 1990. Bigon took over at Sion two months ago and they are unbeaten since then under his stewardship.

He can call on the former Golden Boot winner Darko Pancev, but the Macedonian striker has suffered from indifferent form and injury problems since moving to Switzerland from Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Milan, bidding to win the European Cup for a record-equalling sixth time, were beaten 2-1 at IFK Gothenburg in the Champions' League yesterday after leading with 16 minutes to go.

It was Milan's second defeat in three matches in Group D and left them level on only three points with Rosenborg Trondheim and IFK Gothenburg. Porto, who won 1-0 at Rosenborg, top the group with a maximum nine points.

George Weah put Milan ahead after 52 minutes, but goals from the substitute Erik Walhstedt after 74 minutes and Niclas Alexandersson six minutes from time gave the Swedes their first victory in the group.

Porto left it late to secure their third successive victory, the Brazilian striker Jardel scoring in the last minute against Rosenborg, who had Jan Ivar Jakobsen sent off in the second half.

In Madrid, Borussia Dortmund virtually assured their place in the quarter- finals when they beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 for their third successive Champions' League victory in Group B. Stefan Reuter scored in the 50th minute, but the Germans had their goalkeeper Stefan Klos and a healthy dose of luck to thank for holding out as Atletico squandered several chances.

Thomas Deniaud headed his third Champions' League goal in two matches to give Auxerre a 1-0 home victory over Grasshopper Zurich to throw Group A wide open. Ajax now lead it on goal difference.