Benitez in need of another "miracle" to get through

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has admitted his side now needs a "miracle" to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League following Lisandro Lopez's late goal for Lyon in the Stade de Gerland on Wednesday night.

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Rafael Benitez tries to change things in France on Wednesday night

Lisandro's goal earned a point for the hosts and that, coupled with Fiorentina's win over Debrecen, means the Reds now have to rely on a favour from the French side on matchday five if they are to have a chance of making it when the Viola head to Anfield on Wednesday, December 9.

If Fiorentina beat Lyon then Liverpool will be consigned to life in the Europa League along with Merseyside rivals Everton. A point for the Italian side will leave Liverpool needing to win 2-0 (if they have a better goal difference) or by three goals to go through on the head-to-head rule. Should Fiorentina lose, then Liverpool would go through with a victory on the final matchday.

That, of course, is all dependent on Benitez's side going to Debrecen's Stadion Oláh Gábor Útcai on November 24 and picking up all three points.

"We have to keep going, and try to win,'' Benitez said. "We have achieved miracles before and we can do it again.

"It is simple for me to keep my head high, and that is by watching the players on the pitch and seeing their performances, hearing the fans singing after the game because they know that we are improving and getting better.

"We have to be really disappointed, we had so many chances and we were almost there. But again it was a late goal by Lyon, and it is a massive difference for us. Clearly it is difficult now, but not impossible. We have to win our next game in Debrecen and wait to see what the result is between Fiorentina and Lyon.''

Striker Fernando Torres lasted 87 minutes despite his groin injury, and Benitez said: "Torres was playing with pain, and that is not easy. He was inconsistent, he had to keep stopping and starting again because of the problem.

"Hopefully he will now have some time for us to work with him and we will see how he progresses. The players must not give up hope, Lyon can win away to Fiorentina. We need to win against Debrecen and not talk too much about the other game.

"We must do our job properly first, then we will look at the other result. We will see what happens and hope to take it to the last game when we are at home to Fiorentina.''