Everton defender Phil Jagielka believes last season's long UEFA Cup run has them eyeing an even better campaign this term.

"We did well in the cup competitions last year and we want to do the same again," he said. "If we had a couple of bad results, that would knock about 10 or 15 games off the number we played last season. It's a massive part of the season for us.

"We can't look at things as being make or break too much. The reason we are in the Uefa Cup again is because we finished fifth last season and we have got to remember that. The reason we did so well in the Carling Cup is because we have got a decent squad.

"It isn't too dissimilar this time around and hopefully we can do just as well again. Last year, we thought we had got an easy tie (against Metalist Kharkiv) and, to be honest, we were quite fortunate to come through.

"We've been able to do more homework on Liege and we know more about their players. Maybe we will be a bit better prepared for this match. And, as stupid as it sounds, maybe there isn't as much pressure on this time.

"Standard are a good team and it is going to be a close tie. We would have obviously liked to have been drawn against a lesser team but, if and when we knock Standard out, it will gives us one less good team to worry about later in the competition."