Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez admits he's desperate for star duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres to avoid surgery.

Benitez is banking heavily on Fernando Torres getting through a large part of the match at Lyon with what is now considered to be a hernia problem.

Gerrard did not even travel to France, and Benitez insists that a decision on whether his skipper needs a groin operation will not be taken until Liverpool return to Merseyside.

He says: "We do not want either player to have an operation, we will hope that they continue to improve. It is too early to say just yet."

Benitez added: "People do not realise how important Torres and Gerrard are until you lose them, this situation is not easy for anyone. But we will do our best and we do have the experience of such situations.

"Two years ago we also needed to win our final three group matches, and we succeeded. We can do that again.

"The players here are strong enough for this challenge. The mentality of the group is good, and they are determined to win."