Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel expects a tough assignment against Champions League qualifier opponents Standard Liege.

"We will see in the double-header if they (Standard) are difficult opponents or not. They are an inscrutable team," Skrtel told SITA.

"Last season, when playing for Zenit, I played against them in the Uefa Cup and although we advanced, the two games against them were very tough.

"Our goal is to reach the group stages and we will do our best to achieve that.

"Everyone at Liverpool, players as well as the club management, take appearing in the main phase of the Champions League as an obvious goal, so we simply have to knock Standard out from the competition."