Rafa: Euro spirit can inspire us

Rafael Benitez is calling for his Liverpool team to show their famous European spirit as they go in search of three points in Lyon on Wednesday night.

In their illustrious history the Reds have always drawn strength from adversity and the boss is hoping the team can use this as inspiration when they kick-off in this crucial Champions League clash.
 
"We have some experience in Europe and I think that will be the key," Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv.
 
"If we want to perform well and do well then we can use the experience we have in the past.
 
"Always the Champions League is a massive competition. At this time it will be a crucial game for us so we have to approach the game with confidence and thinking about to win.
 
"The players are disappointed because we are not playing as bad as the results show at the moment. They want to do things properly and they want to win.
 
"The main thing is how we approach this game and we are only thinking about three points and to be in a better position after the game."
 
Rafa and his men don't have to look back too long in the calendar for another flash of inspiration ahead of this game. In the 2007-2008 season the Reds lost 2-1 away to Besiktas before winning their remaining three games to secure qualification for the next phase.
 
Benitez is hoping that history will repeat itself.
 
"It's our example," he added. "We needed to win, we scored a lot of goals and we showed quality and character so we have to do the same now.
 
"We have to show we are good enough and we can progress.
 
"The main thing is not to make mistakes. We have to go and do the right things just thinking about to win, and we cannot think in another way."
 
Lyon beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield thanks to a last minute winner and Benitez knows they are a team his side will not be taking lightly.
 
"Lyon are a good team," he said. "They have quality and players with ability and pace. We knew they could be dangerous but we were not expecting to concede a goal right at the end.
 
"I expect them to play more or less the same on Wednesday. It is a team that has good possession, and they use the wingers and get players into the box."