Liverpool head into Wednesday night's do-or-die UEFA Champions League clash against Lyon in he midst of their worst sequence of results in 56 years needing a win to keep their qualification hopes alive.

The intimidating Stade Gerland and a Lyon side with a 100 per cent record in Group E should provide a tough test for the Reds and their beleaguered boss Rafael Benitez.

His injury-hit squad know they must get a result in France to ease the pressure on their Spanish manager after just one win in seven.

Liverpool have suffered back-to-back defeats in Europe following a 2-0 defeat in Florence and a 2-1 defeat against Claude Puel’s side, conceding a last-minute Cesar Delgado goal at the Kop end two weeks ago.

However, Benitez remains defiant in the face of adversity insisting his side have what it take to beat the current group leaders and get their campaign back on track.

"I'm very pleased to be here and I wish to be here for a long time," he told BBC Sport.

"The players are strong enough for this challenge. The mentality is good, and they are determined to win."

Benitez has a history of pulling rabbits out of hats in Europe however, and the Merseysiders have won their last four games on French soil.

The former Valencia boss was widely criticised for the early substitution of Fernando Torres in a 3-1 defeat to Fulham at the weekend and Benitez could be without up to ten first team players for the crunch clash.

Les Gones need just a point to qualify and are currently challenging for top spot in Ligue 1 despite an indifferent set of results since their heroics at Anfield a fortnight ago.

Team News:

Sweden international Kim Kallstrom and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris are available once more for Lyon, after overcoming slight knocks to face against Saint-Etienne at the weekend.

Defenders Jean-Alain Boumsong, Mathieu Bodmer and long-term absentee Anderson remain sidelined, leaving Jeremy Toulalan to deputise alongside Cris in central defence.

Liverpool have major injury concerns heading into the game and will be without talismanic captain Steven Gerrard, while star striker Torres will need an injection before kick-off to start.

Winger Albert Riera, youngster Martin Kelly and Martin Skrtel are all unavailable through injury.

Full-backs Glen Johnson and Fabio Aurelio failed to make the trip, while Daniel Agger and David Ngog face late fitness tests.

Probable Starting XIs (*Star man):

Lyon (4-5-1): Lloris; Clerc, Cris, Toulalan, Cissokho; Makoun*, Ederson, Pjanic, Bastos, Govou; Lopez.

Liverpool (4-4-2): Reina, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Agger, Insua; Kuyt, Lucas, Mascherano, Benayoun; Voronin, Torres*.

ExtraFootie Prediction: Lyon 2-2 Liverpool - With Liverpool gunning for victory and Lyon within touching distance of the last 16 both sides will doing all they can to ensure victory, however the match should end in a draw.

Fancy a Flutter? PaddyPower offers 9/1 for Liverpool to win 2-1 or 5/1 for Torres to open the scoring.