Reds have no Euro margin for error

Liverpool are under no illusions that they cannot afford any more mistakes as they bid to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League.

The Merseysiders are in Istanbul, the scene of their 2005 triumph in European club football's most prestigious competition, to take on Besiktas as they bid to kickstart their Group A campaign after they followed up their 1-1 draw at FC Porto with a 1-0 defeat at home to Marseille.

Norwegian defender John Arne Riise knows the Reds must get back to winning ways in Europe and build on their 2-1 victory over Everton in Saturday's 206th Merseyside derby.

Besiktas are pointless after two games in Group A and Riise said: "We have only four games left in this group now, so the time for mistakes is over.

"We know we are not in the best position, and the home defeat by Marseille has been very damaging. But we have come to Istanbul before and produced great comebacks, so this is the time to do it again.... We know what is at stake.

"We have managed only one point so far in this group and that is just not good enough. We have to take the three points and then beat Besiktas again when they come to Anfield next time around. Then we will be back in with a chance of qualifying."

Chelsea, meanwhile, will be out to beat Schalke 04 at Stamford Bridge as they bid to follow up their 2-1 win at Valencia in style.

Last month's opening Group B game - the 1-1 draw at home to Rosenborg, witnessed by a crowd of less than 24,000 - turned out to be Jose Mourinho's final match in charge of the Blues.

And the Portuguese's successor in the Stamford Bridge hotseat Avram Grant will be looking for his men to put on a show for the home faithful.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech has insisted that he and his team-mates are more than ready for the huge task they face against the Germans, who are unbeaten away from home in the Bundesliga this season.

Cech said: "I think in recent games we showed our character and showed to everyone, that even though we are behind in the league, we will not give up.

"We still have plenty of games to play and that is a lot of time. A lot of things can happen. We wanted to be in a better position than we are now but we won't give up and we will chase everyone for points to win the title again.

"The expectation is always the same. We are one of the best teams in Europe and England and we always want to win. We will be chasing all the trophies again.

"It is always better to look forward. That is what we have always done. It is always difficult when you get a change of the manager because it is always a big event and you need to cope with that."

Celtic will be out to build on their 2-1 win over AC Milan last time out in Group D when they visit Benfica.

But Gordon Strachan is only too aware that the Bhoys are yet to taste victory away from home in the Champions League and knows there is no magic formula.

Strachan said: "We are in the Champions League again. I would love to be able to say we have got an away win and it's fantastic.

"But there is so much that I have been able to enjoy in the Champions League that you can never take away from us, be it the Spartak Moscow game, beating Manchester United and Benfica last season or beating AC Milan this month.

"Do you think I will worry about the away form when I am sitting in the golf club in 20 years' time or will I be talking about the nights against Moscow, Benfica, AC Milan and Manchester United?

"It would be great to say we have got the away win but we always have these other things in the luggage."

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