Rafa wants to see ‘real’ Reds in Lille

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez has told his players to tackle tonight’s Europa League last-16 first-leg tie against Lille as if it was their “most important game of the season”.

Considering the state of the current campaign, the Spaniard’s comments have more than a ring of truth to them.

After Monday’s diabolical performance in the 1-0 defeat to Wigan – described by Benitez as “a blip” – the Reds’ hopes of securing a top-four finish in the Barclays Premier League have diminished considerably.