Tonight’s game is being viewed more cautiously in France than you might expect, given Liverpool’s struggles and the victory by Lyons at Anfield. The French remember how mediocre Liverpool looked against Marseilles when they were beaten at home in the Champions League in 2007, but how devastating they were at the Stade Vélodrome when they won the return fixture 4-0.

Few in France would be shocked if Liverpool did pull off the win they need, injury crisis or not. The Stade Gerland is a good place to go: lovely stadium, good pitch, noisy but not too intimidating.

Beating Rafael Benítez’s side home and away would be considered an excellent achievement because even Lyons, the wealthiest French club, are paupers in comparison with the leading Premier League sides. And, in truth, they’re mediocre, despite their decent performance on Merseyside. Lyons are solid and organised but beatable. They lost 4-1 to Nice after that Anfield win.

Claude Puel’s men are certainly no threat to win the Champions League, so if Liverpool are serious about challenging for the trophy, they must take three points tonight regardless of injuries and form. Benítez must pick the most experienced XI he can and go for a bold, attacking style.

The Liverpool manager’s instincts will tell him to keep the game tight and try to nick it late on, but that strategy would put Lyons in the comfort zone and confident of profiting from the lack of pace in Liverpool’s back line when play does become stretched. Sidney Govou, for example, destroyed Emiliano Insúa at Anfield.

With Fernando Torres struggling for fitness it would be wise to play a second striker alongside him to do much of his running. Liverpool can’t afford to get any more tentative than they have been this season. Benítez needs to conjure up the spirit and boldness that helped Liverpool to beat Barcelona at the Nou Camp in 2007.

Without Steven Gerrard to provide inspiration, it’s down to the manager’s tactical and motivational skills to spark a victory that may be unlikely, but is definitely possible.