Javier Mascherano today claimed reaching the last 16 of the Champions League will provide Liverpool with the perfect platform for an assault on their first domestic title since 1988.

Liverpool beat Marseille 1-0 with a Steven Gerrard header last night to reach the knock-out stages of the competition with a game to spare despite an unconvincing performance.

Gerrard settled the match in the 23rd minute but Liverpool looked decidedly shaky in the second half.

The result means Rafa Benitez's side can now concentrate on their title battle with Chelsea in the League, even resting key players for the final Champions League group game against PSV when only first place in Group D is up for grabs.

Mascherano will face West Ham, who he left in January 2007, and is promising a better display from Liverpool at Anfield on Monday night.

The Argentine said: "It was not the best performance but sometimes it's important to win when not playing well. It's the way to win trophies. We did the job and now maybe we can focus on the Premier League because we know we are qualified.

"Monday against West Ham is another important game and we have to keep going. We have to improve but we know we can play much better and have the players to do it."

The visit of West Ham should provide motivation for Mascherano, who signed for the Hammers along with compatriot Carlos Tevez in September 2006 but was never given a real chance by manager Alan Pardew and left for Liverpool less than six months later. "I don't feel anything for West Ham," he said. "It's nothing in my life because I couldn't play when I was there. They are just another team in the Premier League.

"The fans at Upton Park were very good for me when I was there but I couldn't play. It's not like River or Corinthians where I played and won titles and I have an affection. I think at West Ham I played only four games so I don't have a big feeling for the club.

"I'm pleased that West Ham brought me to England and gave me the chance to play in this country - it helped me earn a move to Liverpool. But that's all. All that matters to me now is Liverpool."

Chelsea can steal a march on their title rivals by beating Arsenal on Sunday at Stamford Bridge to go three points clear in the table but even that match doesn't excite the Argentine too much.

"We need to think only about us," he said. "If other results are good for us then great but if we can't affect the result it's not important. I will probably watch the game but I won't be shouting for Arsenal, I will try to focus on our own game the next day."