Benitez looks to land first blow

Rafael Benitez says an early breakthrough is crucial in tonight's clash with Monaco.

If Liverpool do win the Group A match, they will be in the second phase but any other result will leave them clinging to the hope they can clinch qualification in their final group match at home to Olympiakos next month.

Benitez said: "It is so important to score first, the team that do that can dictate the game. If you score early on, it means the opposition must attack and that leaves space to exploit.

"If you concede an early goal you have to go at the opposition and that can leave you vulnerable at the break with space left to exploit."