Liverpool will play Deportivo Saprissa in the semi-final of the FIFA Club World Championship after the Costa Rican side defeated Sydney FC in today's quarter-final.

A 47th minute strike from Christian Bolanos was enough to earn Saprissa a 1-0 victory over the Australians in the Toyota Stadium and the right to meet the Reds in Yokahama on Thursday.

Saprissa qualified for the 2005 Club World Championship by defeating Pumas UNAM of Mexico 3-2 on aggregate in the CONCACAF equivalent of the Champions League, winning 2-0 at home and losing 2-1 away.

They are based in the Costa Rican city of San Jose and are the country's most successful club. In winning the CONCACAF Champions League they have managed to break a Mexican stranglehold on club football in this area of the world. Coached by former Costa Rican international Hernan Medford they are known as the 'Purple Monsters'.

Asked during a press conference at the team hotel what impact the 12,000 mile trip would have on Liverpool's domestic campaign, Gerrard was keen to stress that when you're winning matches, no one complains about tiredness.

"There is a slight concern as we have played a lot of games but it helps if you are winning games an enjoying your football. We are playing well, keeping clean sheets and performing well at home and in Europe and as long as that continues, you won't find anyone in this team moaningabout too many matches.

"The team has got a lot of strengths and we are doing very well at the moment. We are creating lots of chances, the goals are going in, we are mean in defence and we have some exciting players going forward. There is still a lot of room for improvement but I think the next few years will be really exciting for us."

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