Only a victory will do for Rafa

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Such a humiliation for the five-time winners of club football's most prestigious trophy would increase the pressure on manager Rafa Benitez.

Rafa Benitez: looking for something to shout about from Liverpool against Besiktas at home

To qualify, Liverpool could need maximum points from their final three games - starting against Besiktas at Anfield tonight.

"We must win and we're confident we will," said the Spaniard, whose side are at the bottom of their qualifying group. "We must play with our heads as well as our hearts. We have not been at our best in Europe this season."

The 2-1 defeat in Turkey a fortnight ago came as something of a shock and means Liverpool's final three games - Porto (h) and Marseille (a) follow - all have a do-or-die element about them.

Benitez has set himself high standards and that is why, after an unprecedented summer spending spree, he finds his management under increasing scrutiny.

Tonight Benitez will call upon Steven Gerrard to demonstrate the range of qualities that can put Liverpool back on track. He is often at his best with his back to the wall and Besiktas anchorman Edouard Cisse - Gerrard will remember him from West Ham's midfield in 2002-03 - can expect a torrid time.

Fernando Torres faces a fitness test, while Harry Kewell could start after impressing as a substitute against Blackburn on Saturday.

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