Rafa Benitez will make Liverpool history tonight as he eclipses the great Bill Shankly in their Champions League clash with Marseille.

Benitez will send a Liverpool side into European combat for the 66th time, one more than Shankly achieved, and is now Liverpool's leading manager - in matches played - in Europe.

Benitez said: "I am really proud to be in such a position so hopefully for the next 66 games I will be here as well.

"This amount of European games is a good achievement for anyone, but especially when you are talking about a top side like Liverpool.

"That also means the team is doing well in Europe and that is very positive for the club.

"I am proud, but the game is more important. I do know the history and understand it.

"I can recall when I was at Real Madrid (in the reserves) that Liverpool beat them 1-0 in the European Cup final. My friend was the goalkeeper and there were lot of former club-mates in that side, so from that long ago I have been affected by Liverpool results."

He added: "So now to be here and to enjoy this club and the job I do is wonderful. But I must not let any personal thoughts distract me from this game.

"The Champions League is massive and we must progress. Hopefully we can make sure of our qualification in this match and then be able to concentrate on the Premier League.

"There is always great expectation. In my first year here everyone talked of the need to win something or to do well.

"But after winning the Champions League the expectation became too high. Everyone wanted the Premier League, which was hard after so many years without success in that competition.

"It has taken time to build and we are still trying to do it. Now that expectation has increased, people are now saying we have to win it.

"But the competition is so strong it is a very hard thing to achieve."