Rafael Benitez has defended his reign as Liverpool manager with the Anfield club facing European oblivion.
Rafael Benitez has defended his reign as Liverpool manager with the Anfield club facing European oblivion.
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If Liverpool lose their Champions League clash with Group E leaders Lyon in the Stade de Gerland tonight, they will be all but out of this season's competition and Benitez knows the pressure on him will reach even greater heights.
Lyon, with three victories already, need one point to qualify for the last 16, while Liverpool have never lost three successive European Cup games in their history.
But with a frightening injury crisis, there is a very real prospect of a side missing Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio and Albert Riera suffering that humiliation.
A Champions League exit would cost Liverpool upwards of u00a315million and leave their season facing ruin.
There would be more calls for Benitez's head but the Spaniard cut a defiant figure, saying: "I am very pleased to be here and I wish to be here for a long time."
Fitness worries
Benitez is banking heavily on Fernando Torres getting through a large part of the match with what is now considered to be a hernia problem.
Gerrard did not even travel to France, and Benitez insists that a decision on whether his skipper needs a groin operation will not be taken until Liverpool return to Merseyside.
Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani is on the verge of starting his first game for the club, while a late decision will be taken on Daniel Agger's back problem.
Benitez said: "At one stage 14 players were injured or had a virus, no club could cope with that.
"But two years ago we also needed to win our final three group matches, and we succeeded. We can do that again.
"The players here are strong enough for this challenge. The mentality of the group is good, and they are determined to win."
Lyon will not be fooled by Liverpool's poor form and injury crisis, with coach Claude Puel maintaining the Reds "always have the potential to bounce back".
Lyon favourites
The French side are considered hot favourites to complete a double over Liverpool, having won at Anfield last month.
But Puel points out that Liverpool bounced back from that defeat to produce a stunning victory against Manchester United in their next match.
Puel said: "Liverpool may have their problems, but after we beat them they turned in a great performance against Manchester United.
Though Lyon require only a point to ensure they finish in the top two, Puel says: "We will only be thinking about winning, not just playing for the draw."
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