Rafael Benitez admits he is relying on a 'miracle' for his Liverpool side to reach the last 16 of the Champions League after being held to a 1-1 draw in Lyon.

The Liverpool manager thought substitute Ryan Babel had secured victory with a sensational opener seven minutes from time only for the Reds to concede an injury-time equaliser last night.

But Benitez, who saw his side come back from 3-0 down against AC Milan to win the 2005 Champions League Final, said: "We have to keep going, and try to win. We have achieved miracles before and 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."

Liverpool are third in Group E and to go through they must win away to Debrecen and at home to Fiorentina and also hope that the Italians lose to Lyon when they host the French side in three weeks.

Dropping the two points having gifted Lisandro the last-gasp leveller was difficult for Benitez to take. He said: "We have to be really disappointed. We had so many chances and we were almost there."

Benitez started the injured Fernando Torres but substituted the striker three minutes from the end with Liverpool holding on to their slender lead. Benitez explained: "Torres was playing with pain, and that is not easy."

Lyon manager Claude Puel insisted his team would try their best against Fiorentina.

"We will play fair, we want to win the group and avoid getting a tougher draw in the next stage," said Puel. "Liverpool have no need to fear what may happen."