Benitez wants Liverpool to join the European elite

THE challenge has been thrown down to Liverpool’s stars to restore the Anfield club to a place among Europe’s elite and to prove they can be part of Rafael Benitez’s revolution.

Liverpool, who lead 2-0 after the first leg on August 10, should be too strong for the Austrian champions Graz AK in the Champions League third qualifying round second leg at Anfield. A place in the lucrative group stages of the competition is certainly within the grasp of the once mighty Merseysiders - and this is one more step along the road to Benitez’s rebirth of the club.

Tonight could be the last for some of the old order before the currently unregistered European duo of Xabi Alonso and Luis Garcia are able to play for their new employers. The new Spanish signings will go straight into the side at Bolton in the Barclays Premiership on Sunday, but must sit and watch the men whose shirts they have come to take fight for their futures in Europe.

Defender Sami Hyypia talked of “making sure we take the club back to where it belongs” - but Benitez was more direct as he promised to use some of his fringe players against Graz. He said: “this game is important for us, for the supporters and the club. We know good teams are waiting for us and there is always the money - the players must concentrate on getting this right.”

The likes of Dietmar Hamann and Steve Finnan are most threatened initially by the new arrivals, and Benitez is likely to give run-outs to the likes of Florent Sinama-Pongolle, Igor Biscan and Salif Diao. Locally produced youngsters Stephen Warnock, Darren Potter and Zak Whitbread may also get a taste of the action, before Benitez really begins hisrev olution.

A successfully arrival in the group stages and the instant £14m that will bring could allow the former Valencia boss to indulge himself in the transfer market again before the window shuts next week. Back injuries mean Spanish full-back Josemi and second-choice goalkeeper Chris Kirkland are doubtful for tonight’s match, while Antonio Nunez is about a month away from adding even more pressure to the old brigade. Hyypia is one who will survive, and he said: “we want to win, we played well in Austria and won 2-0, but we must not allow ourselves to be complacent”.