Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has admitted that he must play his strongest lineup against Lyon, despite what is shaping up to be a must-win game against Manchester United next weekend.
The early-season optimism at Anfield is fading fast, with the Reds having already lost four of their nine Premier League matches this season, as well as suffering a surprise loss to Fiorentina in the Champions League.
That reversal to La Viola means that Benitez cannot afford to rest his key players in their next European outing against French club Lyon - who are sitting comfortably on top of their group with a maximum six points.
United, on the other hand, have the luxury of rotating their squad for the long midweek trip to play CSKA Moscow, ahead of their mouthwatering visit to Anfield.
Benitez said in The Daily Mirror: “We can’t do what United are doing. We have to take one at a time. We have to use the best players for each game."
Losing both games against Lyon and United would be disastrous for Liverpool - but the Spaniard is not entertaining such thoughts.
The Reds boss had no illusions over how important Tuesday's match was, however, and conceded he had no qualms over rushing Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres back from injury if required.
“People ask what happens if we lose against Lyon and United, but what about if we win both games? We feel we can win and everything can change in a positive way," he said.
“Our priority now is Lyon because we hopefully have players coming back from injury.
“I think Gerrard and Torres will be available. If they are, I don’t see any problem playing them before the United game because that will be five days later. If we win the first of these games it will be easier for the next one.
“We know the first half against Fiorentina wasn’t good enough. But the second half was really good. I think we had 12 attempts on goal to their one.
“We have enough quality, confidence and experience in the squad, so it’s a case of approaching every game thinking we have to win. We have had difficult games and difficult moments in the past and shown our character.
“Lyon are a good team, they play quality, attacking football and have experience of playing in the Champions League for many years. So they know what they are doing.
“But to play against Liverpool is not easy for anyone. You can lose, draw, but always any team in the world would say Liverpool is difficult to beat and, hopefully, it will be the same this time.
“Our fans know the Champions League is a special competition and for us it has been amazing.
“The atmosphere in the Champions League has always been good for our team, especially when we are under pressure.
“Anfield will be a key factor for us. We need the fans behind us. They are the best in the world.”
The early-season optimism at Anfield is fading fast, with the Reds having already lost four of their nine Premier League matches this season, as well as suffering a surprise loss to Fiorentina in the Champions League.
That reversal to La Viola means that Benitez cannot afford to rest his key players in their next European outing against French club Lyon - who are sitting comfortably on top of their group with a maximum six points.
United, on the other hand, have the luxury of rotating their squad for the long midweek trip to play CSKA Moscow, ahead of their mouthwatering visit to Anfield.
Benitez said in The Daily Mirror: “We can’t do what United are doing. We have to take one at a time. We have to use the best players for each game."
Losing both games against Lyon and United would be disastrous for Liverpool - but the Spaniard is not entertaining such thoughts.
The Reds boss had no illusions over how important Tuesday's match was, however, and conceded he had no qualms over rushing Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres back from injury if required.
“People ask what happens if we lose against Lyon and United, but what about if we win both games? We feel we can win and everything can change in a positive way," he said.
“Our priority now is Lyon because we hopefully have players coming back from injury.
“I think Gerrard and Torres will be available. If they are, I don’t see any problem playing them before the United game because that will be five days later. If we win the first of these games it will be easier for the next one.
“We know the first half against Fiorentina wasn’t good enough. But the second half was really good. I think we had 12 attempts on goal to their one.
“We have enough quality, confidence and experience in the squad, so it’s a case of approaching every game thinking we have to win. We have had difficult games and difficult moments in the past and shown our character.
“Lyon are a good team, they play quality, attacking football and have experience of playing in the Champions League for many years. So they know what they are doing.
“But to play against Liverpool is not easy for anyone. You can lose, draw, but always any team in the world would say Liverpool is difficult to beat and, hopefully, it will be the same this time.
“Our fans know the Champions League is a special competition and for us it has been amazing.
“The atmosphere in the Champions League has always been good for our team, especially when we are under pressure.
“Anfield will be a key factor for us. We need the fans behind us. They are the best in the world.”
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