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.