Victory still matters to Reds and Viola

ACF Fiorentina are already through to the UEFA Champions League first knockout round but they need a win at eliminated Liverpool FC to make sure of first place in Group E and Viola coach Cesare Prandelli is relishing that "pressure" despite having to contend with a long injury list. The UEFA Europa League beckons for Liverpool but Rafael Benítez hopes they can pick up momentum before Sunday's crucial Premier League encounter with Arsenal FC.

Rafael Benítez, Liverpool manager
We have to try our best in every game; we're playing at Anfield so we'll try to win and get as many points as possible to maybe have an advantage later on. So we'll be trying to win, then win the game against Arsenal. It's a bit disappointing, as for the last five years we've always qualified, but we have to keep thinking about the future, the Premier League and the Europa League, and try to do our best in every competition.

Cesare Prandelli, Fiorentina coach
Pressure can be good, so though we've already qualified it's good there's a bit of pressure on us. Our [injury] situation has certainly got worse since the weekend. With so many absentees, it's difficult for me to think of a starting XI. Not only have I got to think of the team's tactics but I've got to think about who's available. I know Liverpool have a big match at the weekend but for us it's an historic game, so all the lads will want to play well. And while I'm pleased we've got this far, I'd like to keep writing history. I really like English football, not just watching it on TV, which is really gripping, but also the way the game is organised. It's right up there, it's the maximum.

Weekend results
05/12/09 Blackburn Rovers FC 0-0 Liverpool

• After seven victories in their opening nine games in all competitions, Liverpool have won just three of their subsequent 13 fixtures, losing six.

• Steven Gerrard made his 500th Liverpool appearance at Blackburn having made his debut against the same opponents on 29 November 1998 at Anfield, a match Liverpool won 2-0.

06/12/09 Fiorentina 2-0 Atalanta BC
(Vargas 26, Gilardino 89)

• Prandelli presided over a club record 90th league victory, moving one ahead of Fulvio Bernardini, the man who led the Viola to their first Scudetto in 1956.

Team news
Liverpool
Out: Ryan Babbel (ankle)
Doubtful: Albert Riera (hamstring), Fernando Torres (adductor)
Suspended: none
Misses next match if booked: none

Fiorentina
Out: Alessandro Gamberini (thigh), Adrian Mutu (knee), Marco Marchionni (thigh), Cristiano Zanetti (knee), Massimo Gobbi (thigh)
Doubtful: Stefan Jovetić (ankle), Juan Vargas (thigh)
Suspended: Dario Dainelli
Misses next match if booked: Marco Donadel

Background
• Fiorentina lost 2-0 at Liverpool's neighbours Everton on their last visit to England in the 2007/08 UEFA Cup round of 16. However, they still advanced as 4-2 winners on penalties following a 2-2 aggregate draw.

• As a player, Fiorentina coach Prandelli was in the Juventus team that beat Liverpool 1-0 in the 1985 European Champion Clubs' Cup final, appearing for the final six minutes as a substitute.

Did you know?
Liverpool went down 2-1 to Lyon in their most recent Group E outing at Anfield, but their supporters can take heart from the fact the Reds have never lost two successive European home fixtures.

For more information on the match in the official press kit, click here.