Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres could start Liverpool's Champions League opener at Marseille on Tuesday, manager Rafael Benitez said on Monday.

Captain Gerrard played the last 22 minutes in Saturday's 2-1 win over Manchester United [Images] on his return from a groin injury while Spanish striker Torres remained on the bench after suffering a hamstring injury last month.

• Champions League 2008-09

"Both players are in good form and could play a part in the game and even start it," Benitez told reporters on the eve of Liverpool's Group D opener.

Benitez said a decision would be made about Javier Mascherano after a final fitness test on Tuesday. The Argentine midfielder pulled up with a sore calf in Saturday's game.

Liverpool won 4-0 at Marseille in the group stage last year but Marseille coach Eric Gerets said his team would not endure the same setback this time.

• Schedule: Champions League 2008-09

"We start against the great favourites in our group but Liverpool will not surprise us the way they did last year," Gerets told reporters.

"We suffered from their physical impact in midfield but it will not happen again. We will not repeat the same mistakes."

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