REDS EAGER TO QUALIFY TONIGHT

RAFA Benitez has told of his eagerness to ensure qualification for the knockout stages in the Champions League, with a win against Marseille at Anfield tonight.

Liverpool will guarantee a place in the next stage of the premier club competition should they beat the French side tonight, although a draw could also see them qualify should Atletico Madrid avoid defeat against PSV in the other group D fixture.

Benitez said; "When you are a top side you have four competitions to compete in
so it can be difficult to concentrate in all of them but the Champions
League and Premier League are massive. Hopefully we can qualify and then we can concentrate on the Premier League".

The Reds are boosted by the return of Steven Gerrard after he missed the Fulham game last weekend with a groin strain;"He was training this morning so I think that he will be fit for Marseille. I don't know if he can play 90 minutes, that depends on his fitness, but he can start if we want to use him", Rafa added.

This means there could be a re-union of the deadly duo, Torres and Gerrard, who conquered so many defences last season with their relentless teamwork. A prospect which El Nino is keen to rekindle;"I wanted to play for a club like Liverpool, where I could learn from players like Steven Gerrard, who I have always respected as a player and a leader," the striker said.

"A captain in England must lead by example. Steve Gerrard is someone everyone wants to be like – always the first at training, it is he who grafts the hardest in each exercise, who sacrifices himself during each match", he added.

Tonights game will be Rafa Benitez's 66th European game in charge of Liverpool taking him past Bill Shankley's Liverpool record.

TRAWK Prediction: 3-0

Liverpool Key Man: Steven Gerrard; Should captain fantastic start, his partnership with Torres will be key to getting the result we are expecting.