Stan Collymore believes Liverpool have the Champions League know-how to go to hostile venues like Marseille's Stade Velodrome and triumph.
The ex-Reds striker is confident Rafael Benitez's men have the experience to progress from what he feels is a tight group and is tipping them to overcome Marseille tonight and get off to a winning start.
"Liverpool play a very pragmatic style but they have an ability to win games so they can go to places like the Stade Velodrome and pick up results," he told LFC TV.
"Overall their success is down to a strong defensive core, a strong spine and having the ability to score goals away from home. I also think it's vital that they have Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard back."
With the likes of Atletico Madrid and PSV Eindhoven also in Group D, Collymore feels Liverpool have been handed the most difficult route to the knockout stage and insists any points they pick up away from home will be a welcome boost to their hopes.
"When you look at the group I think it's the toughest out of the lot," he said.
"A lot of people have looked at some of the other groups, where you've got Real Madrid and Juventus in one, and people like to try to pick out a group of death.
"But I think in Liverpool's group all the sides are evenly matched. PSV are perennial qualifiers for the Champions League, Marseille are always difficult at the Stade Velodrome and Atletico have a really good team too.
"People always talk about Inter as one of the outside favourites but I think Atletico could be dark horses, so I think it is a tough group for Liverpool.
"Winning matches at Anfield will be vital if they are to get to the next stage but it's also about nicking points away from home, especially at places like Marseille."
The ex-Reds striker is confident Rafael Benitez's men have the experience to progress from what he feels is a tight group and is tipping them to overcome Marseille tonight and get off to a winning start.
"Liverpool play a very pragmatic style but they have an ability to win games so they can go to places like the Stade Velodrome and pick up results," he told LFC TV.
"Overall their success is down to a strong defensive core, a strong spine and having the ability to score goals away from home. I also think it's vital that they have Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard back."
With the likes of Atletico Madrid and PSV Eindhoven also in Group D, Collymore feels Liverpool have been handed the most difficult route to the knockout stage and insists any points they pick up away from home will be a welcome boost to their hopes.
"When you look at the group I think it's the toughest out of the lot," he said.
"A lot of people have looked at some of the other groups, where you've got Real Madrid and Juventus in one, and people like to try to pick out a group of death.
"But I think in Liverpool's group all the sides are evenly matched. PSV are perennial qualifiers for the Champions League, Marseille are always difficult at the Stade Velodrome and Atletico have a really good team too.
"People always talk about Inter as one of the outside favourites but I think Atletico could be dark horses, so I think it is a tough group for Liverpool.
"Winning matches at Anfield will be vital if they are to get to the next stage but it's also about nicking points away from home, especially at places like Marseille."
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