Six defeats in seven games – including Carling Cup elimination and a last-gasp 2-1 reverse against Lyon at Anfield a fortnight ago – has increased the pressure on the Spaniard, even if Gillett was moved to publicly back the manager last month.

While Benitez retains the faith of most Liverpool followers – save the kneejerkist internet forum know-it-alls – even his most ardent supporters would admit he is facing perhaps the greatest test of his managerial acumen.

Liverpool will at least be encouraged by a run of four successive victories in France, and the fact that, despite their win at Anfield thanks to Carlos Delgado’s injury-time strike, Lyon gave nothing to fear and are dealing with their own problems.

The Ligue 1 side are grappling with an injury crisis in defence while, during the weekend’s 1-0 win at rivals St-Etienne, midfielder Jeremy Toulalan and the club’s general manager Claude Puel were involved in a spat after the latter told the midfielder to stop dribbling.

And while Lyon remain a much tougher proposition than Marseille, Kuyt acknowledges the experience of two seasons ago will benefit Liverpool this evening.

“We have been in the same situation two years ago when we had a very bad start in the Champions League,” says the Dutchman. “We have come here to win.

“Lyon are very good team, we have a lot of respect for them, but we really need the three points.

“We have to win. We have confidence because we have done it before and we have to believe we can do it again.

“We were very disappointed with the last result against Lyon. We worked really hard to win but it didn’t happen. This is a very big game for us. We have done very well away from home in Europe and very well in France.

“That gives us the confidence.”

And of the challenge facing Benitez and his player tonight, Kuyt adds: “If you play for Liverpool, there’s always a pressure to win games.

“There is more pressure now than there is normally but if you want to play at the top you have to cope with this pressure.

“We know what we have to do, we have to look forward and prepare for the game tomorrow. It’s good to play big games with a lot of pressure, if you do well it gives you a really good boost for the next couple of games.”

PROBABLE TEAMS.

LYON (4-3-3): Lloris; Reveillere, Cris, Toulalan, Cissokho; Pjanic, Makoun, Kallstrom; Govou, Lisandro, Gomis.

LIVERPOOL (4-4-2): Reina; Carragher, Agger, Kyrgiakos, Insua; Kuyt, Lucas, Mascherano, Benayoun; Ngog, Torres.