Rafael Benitez has warned his players that Marseille could spring a surprise with their tactics in the Champions League tonight.

Liverpool can book their place in the last 16 with victory at Anfield but the French side must win to have any chance of progressing from Group D.

As a result, Benitez does not know whether Marseille will be brave or adopt a cautious approach in the hope of nicking a late winner, as they did at Anfield in the same competition last year.

The manager said: "Marseille are a good side but it will be interesting to see how the approach the game. They have good players on the counter-attack and they may sit deep and concede possession to us.

"But they have to win, so they may be more attack-minded and really go for it. We will see very quickly how they intend to approach this game.

"This is different to last season in this competition. After losing at home to Marseille we had one point from three games and had to win everything else. We had to fight right to the end.

"The season before, we were already qualified when we went to Galatasaray for the last match and we were able to use other players.

"The atmosphere was so different. If we can go to PSV Eindhoven for our final group match with our place in the knock-out stage decided, we can use young players.

"The Champions League is massive and we must progress. Hopefully we can make sure of our qualification in this match and then be able to concentrate on the Premier League."

Benitez will overtake Bill Shankly for the most European matches overseen by an Anfield manager this evening.

This will be his 66th European tie with the Reds and he said: "I am really proud to be in such a position, so hopefully the next 66 games I will be here as well.

"This amount of European games is a good achievement for anyone but especially when you are talking about a top side like Liverpool. That also means the team are doing well in Europe and that is very positive for the club."

Benitez will have captain Steven Gerrard back from his torn groin muscle to face Marseille, who will include former Liverpool winger Boudewijn Zenden.

The Dutchman said: "Liverpool are a team in the top two in England. It'll be very difficult but we are not afraid."

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