Tonight's match is followed by Sunday's Worthington Cup Final against Manchester United, and it could be that those two games can define the Reds' season.

Murphy, however, realises that the French do pose a threat, even if they did lose the first leg in France: "Auxerre won at Arsenal in the Champions League this season and can hit you quickly on the break, so we won't be naive and go at them. We need to be patient and not be too cavalier because they are a similar style to us.

"We have shown we are capable of matching Auxerre, we feel we can do that to anyone on our day, so we aim to concentrate on what we do, otherwise you go into the game worried about certain players and tactics. Get your own game right and perform well and you will be OK.

"We have won the UEFA Cup once, now we aim to win it again. It's time to please the fans, they stick with us through thick and thin and travel all over Europe to see us."

The most dangerous player in the Auxerre line-up will be one of Europe's most sought-after talents- Djibril Cisse, who was absent last week when his side went down 1-0 at home. "We know Auxerre have good, technical players who pass the ball well and make you work very hard defensively" said Murphy. "Cisse is electric, he's quick with an eye for goal. He will have our respect."

However in the shape of Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz, Murphy believes that Liverpool have the defensive capabilities to hold off Auxerre: "Look at the games our two centre backs have played this season against the likes of Henry and van Nistelrooy, and neither of them have scored against us, so I feel they can cope with Cisse."

He added: "I know he's thought of very highly around Europe and when teams have their best players available they are more formidable, but I think their defenders will be more worried about Michael Owen and Emile Heskey while our defenders can look after Cisse."