MANAGER Rafael Benitez has demanded a response from his under-performing Liverpool side in tomorrow night’s first leg of their Europa League last 16 clash away to Lille.

Liverpool make the trip to France this evening with Benitez’s stinging criticism after Monday’s miserable 1-0 defeat at Wigan still ringing in their ears.

The Spaniard, who is usually fiercely protective of his players, accused them of lacking desire and character against the Latics.

And at Melwood yesterday Benitez left them in no doubt that a repeat performance simply won’t be tolerated.

“We are looking for a reaction,” Benitez said. “We know sometimes it’s not easy when you have a game so soon, but it can be very positive.

“Hopefully we’ll have the reaction and show on the pitch we are a strong side.

“Outside the pitch we have to keep focused and on the pitch we have to show we’re ready to win and show we have the desire.

“We were talking about this today. The players know we weren’t doing well and we have to improve.

“We have showed character and been strong in defence (in recent months), but we didn’t show these things in the first half at Wigan.

“Everyone knows it was a bad performance and we missed an opportunity.

“They realise they didn’t play well and that’s the positive thing. Hopefully they can improve for the next game. Sometimes you have these games, but the problem we have is that we don’t have too much room for mistakes so we have to perform now.”

Yossi Benayoun is doubtful for tomorrow night’s game. The Israeli sat out training yesterday after picking up an ankle injury at Wigan.

However, central defender Daniel Agger should travel after recovering from a sickness bug which ruled him out on Monday night.

Benitez added: “We had some problems with Agger. He was sick and lost some weight. We had to be careful with him but he’s training now so hopefully will be okay.

“Benayoun had a problem with his ankle. We have to see. He wasn’t training so we have to decide.”

Benitez is wary of the threat Lille will pose to Liverpool’s hopes of keeping their dream of silverware alive.

And he has enlisted the help of his former club Valencia, who took four points off the French side in the Europa League’s group stage.

“Lille are a good team,” he said. “People maybe don’t know too much about them but we’ve spoken with people in Valencia, because they played one another, and we have reports from the scouts.

“We know they’re a dangerous team with some ability. I have some friends at Valencia and they told me it was a very difficult game.