Liverpool's history buoys Rafael Benitez's faith in miracles

Published on Monday 23 November 2009 22:57

RAFAEL Benitez insists Liverpool can amaze Europe again and make sure of unlikely Champions League qualification.

To stay in contention for a last-16 place, Liverpool need to beat Hungarian champions Debrecen in the Ferenc Puskas stadium, and hope Lyon do not lose away to Fiorentina in tonight's other Group E match.

Benitez acknowledges Liverpool face an uphill task – but believes anything is still possible.

The Anfield manager said: "We have produced miracles before, we can do the same again. It will be difficult, maybe another miracle. But all we can do is our job. If we can then play against Fiorentina with options of winning and qualifying next week, that will be fantastic. Hopefully we can do it.

"Last time in this position we managed to qualify and it was amazing. It will be the same if we do it again.

"We had to win our last three games two years ago in the group stages, now it is only two. We achieved success in a great way, scoring four against Porto, eight against Besiktas and four in Marseille. That was magnificent. This time if we go through it will be just the same feeling."

Liverpool expect to have Glen Johnson and Daniel Agger fit after calf and head injuries, with skipper Steven Gerrard leading from the front in only his second start in more than a month.

Gerrard is no stranger to miracles himself, having masterminded Liverpool recovery acts in Istanbul, Marseille and at home against Olympiakos.

Benitez said: "If anyone can do it, Gerrard can. But the whole team believe it is possible."

The Spaniard was in a confident mood for his pre-match press conference where once again he was asked that if Liverpool fail to qualify, will that be the end of his Liverpool career. He laughed and responded: "No, I don't think so."

He was clearly more concerned about the improving fitness of his players, saying: "We have Johnson and Agger here because we believe they will be fit to play. It is very important for us to have players coming back from injury. They may not be ready but at least they are training and working with the team.

"Gerrard was tired at the end against Manchester City on Saturday, it had been a difficult game for him because he had not trained with the team for three weeks. He will be okay.

"For us it is easy and simple. We have to score and win, we must not worry about what is happening in Florence, we have to concentrate on doing our own job and winning the match."

And Benitez again dismissed the conspiracy theory that Lyon will let Fiorentina win to make sure that Liverpool are eliminated.

"They are good professionals and want to win. It will be good for the club and give them more money, too, they will want to be top because you never know what the draw will throw at them," he said.

"It will be good for the Lyon coach and his players to want to be top, I have confidence that they will try to do that."