Steven Gerrard will appear in his 80th European match for Liverpool tonight with a ringing endorsement from his manager.

Gerrard, who was only a second-half substitute in Liverpool's 0-0 draw at Portsmouth on Saturday after two demanding England matches, will reclaim the captain's armband tonight against Porto in their Estadio do Dragao fortress for their opening Champions League Group A clash.

It was not until Gerrard came on at Fratton Park that Liverpool looked like they could produce a victory.

Here he will certainly be expected to inspire a triumph that would give Liverpool a superb start to their campaign.

Boss Rafael Benitez said: 'Steven is so important for us. Since I have been at the club he has been the most influential player.

'He scores goals and plays well at this level and all I want is for him to continue like that.'

Benitez is also likely to start the game with Dutch striker Dirk Kuyt and Fernando Torres up front, the Spaniard making his debut in the Champions League proper. Kuyt was not even on the bench at Portsmouth while Torres came on only in the second half.