23.08.2004 - Benitez warning ahead of Graz tie

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Rafael Benitez has warned his Liverpool players not to get complacent in the second leg of their Champions League qualifier against Graz AK.

Liverpool will go into the match as red hot favourites to claim a place in the group stage of the competition, and Benitez knows the importance of making sure that the Austrian Champions don't cause a huge upset.

Benitez said: "This game is important for us, for the supporters and the club. It is important the players understand we cannot have a bad result."

"We must win this match because the fans want us to go to the semi-final, even the final, of the Champions League."

Graz will arive at Anfield having won their fifth straight league match at the weekend, though they've fallen at the third qualifying round of the Champions League in each of the past two seasons, and are on the verge of crashing out at the same stage after Steven Gerrard's double strike in the first leg.

Liverpool have only twice ever lost by two goals at home in a European match, to Barcelona and Celtic, and avoiding a similar result tomorrow will see the club safely into Friday's draw for the first round.

And after both Liverpool and Rafael Benitez missed out last year, neither will be expecting to miss out on the continents biggest club competition again this time around.