Benitez worried about Liege threat to Champions League progression

Liverpool coach Rafael Benitez is very worried about the real threat of Standard Liege putting his team out of the Champions League on Wednesday.

Liverpool went to Belgium as hot favourites for the first leg and were extremely lucky to come away with a draw, as Liege missed a penalty and had an obvious goal disallowed when the Norwegian referee failed to spot a header which crossed the line.

Benitez said after the game: 'We are lucky - the performance was poor but the result was good.

'If we are to get through then there has to be a massive difference at Anfield.

'We have spoken of it in the dressing room, and we know that it was not good enough.

'We couldn't keep the ball and they were very aggressive, and they were on top of us all the time, which put us out of our stride.'

Since then Liverpool have won two league games, but were very unconvincing in both. One moment of brilliance from Torres saved them at Sunderland, and they had to come from behind in the last five minutes to luckily get the points against Middlesbrough at Anfield.

Gerrard got the last gasp winner on Saturday, but has admitted he is nowhere near full fitness. If Liverpool do not step up a gear they could be shocked by Liege yet again.

The Belgians will be feeling confident after controlling the first leg, and have nothing to lose.
Benitez has every reason to be worried. Just one away goal will give them a mountain to climb."