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.

And while Benitez admits to being "immensely proud" of his achievement at Anfield, his skipper Steven Gerrard will come surging back into action intent on writing some more history of his own.

Gerrard's recovery from a torn groin muscle has been sufficient to allow him to start the match tomorrow, but he may not be risked for the full 90 minutes.

And Gerrard has admitted that he is still driven by a desire to match the 2005 Champions League triumph in Istanbul.

He said: "I've got a drive and a hunger to match Istanbul, if not beat it.

"Obviously Istanbul was mine and the club's finest hour for a long time. But I do not just want to milk that final. I think I would have regrets if I did not win anything else."

Benitez feels the same, in the knowledge that a win over Marseille will secure qualification from Group D into the last 16, and if PSV Eindhoven fail to beat Atletico Madrid tomorrow, Liverpool will qualify anyway.

But it is the association with an achievement of the Shankly era that will inspire Benitez now.

The pair are four games ahead of three-time European Cup winner Bob Paisley on 61, with Gerard Houllier fourth on the list with 52.

Benitez has won 38, drawn 14 and lost 13 of his European games since taking charge in July 2004. His win ratio is 58.5% - bettered only by Paisley (63.9%) and Joe Fagan (73.7%).

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."

Marseille gave themselves a glimmer of hope of securing a top-two finish by beating PSV Eindhoven 3-0 last time out.

But, realistically, a third-placed finish in the group and qualification for the last 32 of the UEFA Cup is probably the best they are hoping for.

Midfielder Boudewijn Zenden, a former Liverpool player who is now on the fringes of the first team at OM, said: "This season, even though we only have three points, we have shown a good side to us.

"And it isn't finished yet. We can do something in this competition. In the situation we are in, it is a key meeting - we can finish third.

"After this match, we will see if we can go higher than that."

OM coach Eric Gerets believes the group will be settled on the final matchday but has urged his team to make a name for themselves against Liverpool, like they did last season when the Mediterranean side won 1-0 at Anfield in the pool stages.

"They are top in England and better than us in every department," said the Belgian.

"But my players are going to show that they want to fight for this fantastic club.

"It will be an important match but if PSV don't get a result against Atletico, it will be the last match that will determine our European adventure."

Mathieu Valbuena, who scored the winner against the Reds in last season's corresponding fixture, is likely to be sidelined with a knee injury.

Holding midfielder Modeste Mbami has a thigh problem but playmaker Karim Ziani could shake off a similar injury to start.