Boss Rafa Benitez has called for the “real Liverpool” to stand up when they take on Lille in the first leg of the last-16 of the Europa League in France on Thursday (Lille 21/10, draw 23/10, Liverpool 13/10).

The Reds were beaten 1-0 at lowly Wigan in the Premier League on Monday night as they drew their third blank in their last four league games to seriously dent their top-four hopes (11/4).

But Benitez’s under-achievers get the chance to bounce back in Europe (5/1 Europa League Outright) and the Spaniard has urged them not to fluff their lines.

He said: “You cannot change things but we have an opportunity now in the Europa League and must try to do our best.

“A game right now will be a chance for the players to show their character.

“The last 10 games we have been all right. We had character, everyone was working hard, helping each other and working together.

“It was a surprise and hopefully this [Wigan] result is just a blip and we will see the real Liverpool on Thursday.”

Liverpool will be without midfielder Yossi Benayoun (ankle) but centre-half Daniel Agger should be available after illness.

Lille, who currently sit in sixth place in Ligue 1, have lost only two league games out of 14 at home so far this season.

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