Jose Reina believes Liverpool’s Champions League triumph in 2005 can inspire them to progress in this year’s competition.

Despite not being a member of the winning squad in Istanbul three years ago, the Spanish goalkeeper sees similarities between that campaign and the current one. The Anfield outfit began their 2005 European season equally slowly but went on to win the trophy.

“They managed to get to 10 points in the group stages [in 2005] and that was enough,” said Reina. “That run to the final should be a mirror for us. We can look at it as an example of how the situation can be resolved.”

Rafael Benitez’s team require maximum points from their two remaining Group A fixtures to stand any chance of qualifying for the knockout stages. They host Porto on Wednesday and visit Marseilles in a fortnight.

“We are third in the group now and need to register two more wins,” insisted Reina. “That will not be easy but if we play our real game then we know it will be enough.”

Reina remembers the pain of defeat against AC Milan in the final last year and is not keen to repeat it. “People say we were unlucky in Athens, but in the end Milan won," he added. "If we get to the final again we must make sure we do not finish with that same feeling.

“But before we can even think about things like that we must make sure we win these last two group games. We must reach the knockout rounds before thinking ahead to any more finals.”