Group E Kick-off 19-45 (BST)
Lyon need just a draw against Liverpool to book their Champions League knockout place from Group E but coach Claude Puel knows tonight’s opponents can make life very tough for the hosts.
Liverpool are always able to produce a big performance,” he said. “They have a great manager and great players. There were brilliant against Manchester United ten days ago and, even though they lost at Fulham at the weekend, they played well with a lot of spirit.
“As far as we are concerned, we always focus on the next game, we always put out our best team. It doesn’t matter if we take one point or three. We are playing at home and will do our best to win. We won’t play for a draw – we don’t know how.
“Even with nine points in the bag, nothing is certain because it’s a tough group. Three teams can still go through, it’s that open. Liverpool play the way they always used to play. It means they are always efficient when they play well. Even if they slow down the pace, they are able to score a quick goal.”
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, who hopes to have Fernando Torres fit tonight, has overseen group-stage recoveries before and remains confident of doing so again despite his side’s precarious position and poor run of form.
“Fernando Torres is improving every day,” he said. “He feels less and less pain. So we can’t talk about a possible operation. He’s not 100 per cent, but against Manchester United he was 80 per cent and scored the winning goal. I would have put him on the pitch even if the game had been less important.
“We have experience and have to believe in ourselves, that we can win against Lyon, even though they are a good team.
“In the past, we had the same difficulties and managed to go through. We have to be confident, show character. If you are nervous, you make mistakes. We are in a difficult period, but football changes every week.
“Every game is important. Despite the lack of four or five important players, we still have a very good team. We’ll see an open game. Lyon won’t play for the draw.”
Benitez will definitely be without Steven Gerrard (groin), Albert Riera (hamstring), Martin Kelly (ankle), Martin Skrtel (muscle), Glen Johnson (calf) and Fábio Aurélio (calf), while there are doubts over the fitness of Alberto Aquilani (virus), Daniel Agger (back) and David Ngog (ankle)
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