RAFAEL BENITEZ admits Liverpool will equal any of their previous Champions League group heroics if they pull off another great escape this season.

The Anfield outfit take on Hungarian champions Debrecen this evening aiming to avoid failing to reach the knockout stages of the competition for the first time under the Spaniard.

Liverpool must win in Budapest and hope an already-qualified Lyon gain a result in Italy against Fiorentina in Group E’s other fixture.

Benitez’s side won their last three games in 2007-08 to progress while they beat Olympiakos by two clear goals in their decider in 2004-05 before going on to win the trophy.

And with Liverpool five points behind second-placed Fiorentina, Benitez accepts it will take something special for his team to extend their Champions League campaign.

“It will be difficult to get through,” said the Anfield manager. “I have said before that it will be a miracle if we do, but it depends on the other teams and if we do our job. We have to win and see what happens in the other games.

“If we can play against Fiorentina with a chance to get through then it would be fantastic.

“The last time we qualified in this manner was amazing so if we can do it now it will also be amazing. It will be at the same level.”

If Liverpool and Lyon draw, then Benitez’s side must beat Fiorentina by three clear goals at home in a fortnight to progress.

Should both Liverpool and Lyon both win, a victory of any sort against Fiorentina would be enough, while any other combination of results would see the Anfield outfit eliminated.

Benitez has dismissed fears of any French conspiracy, and added: “I think Lyon have an incentive to finish top. If you can be qualified first maybe it can be and advantage but it can also help the confidence of the team. Fiorentina are strong at home but Lyon have quality and play well on the counter-attack, so we will see. I’m sure Lyon will try to win, they will be professional. The coach will try to win, because it will give him and the team confidence.