UEFA Champions League Group G/Liverpool v Anderlecht: The player who has come to personify Liverpool's tendency to flourish on the continent, but flounder in the English Premiership offered his own insight last night into the side's inconsistencies.

Luis Garcia has lived with the fierce criticism that has dogged the reigning European champions for much of the current campaign. "But it doesn't annoy me," he said. "I can understand it."

Belgian side Anderlecht visit Anfield tonight having lost their last 10 matches in this competition and with Liverpool content to be back in European mode.

Garcia is synonymous with this club's different form in the two competitions. Since his £6 million transfer from Barcelona he boasts seven goals in 21 continental appearances, with only nine in 42 English domestic matches.

"In the Champions League opponents know that one goal can see you go through to the next round," he said. "So teams are more attack-minded and you get much more space.

"Rafa (Benitez) understands. In his career he has been in this kind of position with people questioning his team. He is stronger for that. He puts up a big barrier to deflect that criticism because he knows what to do to improve the team.

"We have a stronger side than last season, but it is still different to the rest of the teams in England who use four strong defenders and then two strong midfielders. We have different qualities."

Liverpool know victory tonight, coupled with a Chelsea win in Seville against Real Betis, would secure their passage into the knockout phase with two games of the group stage still to play, Benitez said: "It would be great to have two games without pressure.

"Then you can use the squad and maybe try different players in different positions and we can also prepare for the Premier League games with more time."

Given their start, that time would be well spent on the domestic development.

Anfield, 7.45 On TV: TV3, UTV