Benitez will have to name a squad without a host of key players as the 19-man squad that left John Lennon airport was missing Steven Gerrard, Martin Kelly, Albert Riera, Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel and Fabio Aurelio.
Benitez admits the current injury situation has hindered his side's form: 'We have good players but too many injuries.
'If you think of any of the top sides in the world, if they lose three players who could start, and four or five who could be on the bench, it is not easy.'
When questioned on the fitness of captain Gerrard, Benitez replied: 'Gerrard has been working with our physios and fitness coach. He was improving, but it is too early. We have to wait two or three days to see his reaction, but he is doing well.'
However, Benitez can take some comfort in that Fernando Torres has made the trip to Lyon and he was joined by Daniel Agger, David Ngog and £20m summer signing Alberto Aquilani.
'We know Fernando has a problem, and we have to manage it,' the boss told his pre-match press conference in France.
'The positive thing is that he is improving, and he is in less pain each time he plays and trains.
'Hopefully if we can continue doing well with him, he will not need an operation - that is our idea.
'Now it is a question of how he feels and what will happen if he plays.'
Liverpool take on the French at the Stade Gerland looking to boost their hopes of qualifying for the last 16, where defeat would effectively end their participation in the competition.
A shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of Les Gones at Anfield last month saw the Reds slip to third in Group E, after picking up just three points in the opening three fixtures.
Lyon, meanwhile, have made a 100 per cent start to the tournament and know a win against Liverpool will see them through to the next stage.
Claude Puel's side have also been hit by injuries as Anderson, former Newcastle defender Jean-Alain Boumsong, Mathieu Bodmer and Francois Clerc are all unavailable, while Anthony Reveillere is a doubt after sustaining a groin problem.
But he is also confident his players, who sit second in Ligue 1, can progress after silencing Anfield a fortnight ago.
Benitez admits the current injury situation has hindered his side's form: 'We have good players but too many injuries.
'If you think of any of the top sides in the world, if they lose three players who could start, and four or five who could be on the bench, it is not easy.'
When questioned on the fitness of captain Gerrard, Benitez replied: 'Gerrard has been working with our physios and fitness coach. He was improving, but it is too early. We have to wait two or three days to see his reaction, but he is doing well.'
However, Benitez can take some comfort in that Fernando Torres has made the trip to Lyon and he was joined by Daniel Agger, David Ngog and £20m summer signing Alberto Aquilani.
'We know Fernando has a problem, and we have to manage it,' the boss told his pre-match press conference in France.
'The positive thing is that he is improving, and he is in less pain each time he plays and trains.
'Hopefully if we can continue doing well with him, he will not need an operation - that is our idea.
'Now it is a question of how he feels and what will happen if he plays.'
Liverpool take on the French at the Stade Gerland looking to boost their hopes of qualifying for the last 16, where defeat would effectively end their participation in the competition.
A shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of Les Gones at Anfield last month saw the Reds slip to third in Group E, after picking up just three points in the opening three fixtures.
Lyon, meanwhile, have made a 100 per cent start to the tournament and know a win against Liverpool will see them through to the next stage.
Claude Puel's side have also been hit by injuries as Anderson, former Newcastle defender Jean-Alain Boumsong, Mathieu Bodmer and Francois Clerc are all unavailable, while Anthony Reveillere is a doubt after sustaining a groin problem.
But he is also confident his players, who sit second in Ligue 1, can progress after silencing Anfield a fortnight ago.
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