Liverpool bid to beat Porto

Updated 15.50 Mon Sep 17 2007

Rafael Benitez is set to shuffle his pack once again when Liverpool kick off their Champions League Group A campaign at FC Porto.

The Merseysiders, who are set to welcome back captain Steven Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres to their starting line-up, have reached two of the last three finals in European club football's most prestigious competition.

"I think it's impoartant to win early on. Porto are one of the best teams in Portugal, so it will be a difficult game" - Rafael Benitez

And Benitez is calling for his men to put points on the board as soon as possible as they bid to reach the lucrative knock-out stages.

The Reds boss said: "I think it's impoartant to win early on. Porto are one of the best teams in Portugal, so it will be a difficult game.

"I think we need at least 12 points to reach the knockout stages of the tournament, but some people say ten.

"It's better win early and to have the points. We will try to win in Porto. I don't know what they say about the group."

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