Fernando Torres, the hat-trick hero on that occasion, will be absent tonight after his latest hamstring setback, opening the way for a recall for Robbie Keane to the starting line-up.

And the manager is keen for his side to step up their goals tally after just scoring the one goal in their last two home games, the goalless draw with Fulham in the league and the victory over Marseille.

“I think we have enough people who can score goals and we can manage,” added Benitez. “Torres is important but we have to think about solutions.

“I think we have played really well in some game and not taken our chances. But if we can play at the same level it’s just a question of time that we will score more in certain games in the first half – then it will be easier in the second half.

“We have to improve and play well, create chances and take them. One of the best games we played was Tottenham away but we lost the game. But keep playing at that level and we will win those games.”

He added: “After two games without playing well, people are starting to say that we are looking a little bit nervous, but we are still close to the top of the table.

“We have qualified for the next round of the Champions League, we are in a fantastic position in the league and we are playing really well.

“If you have some experience, you know that, if you want to be a contender, you have to think only about the next game. And we know that, if we beat West Ham, we will be there at the top of the table for another week.”