MARSEILLE, France (AFP) - Marseille coach Eric Gerets said on Monday it would be a disaster for both his own team and for Liverpool should they fail to reach the knockout stages of the European Champions League.

Gerets' team, who beat Liverpool at Anfield in a major surprise earlier this season, host Rafael Benitez's side on Tuesday night at the Velodrome stadium with a place in the last 16 at stake.

Gerets said: "We have proved at Anfield, perhaps our best match of the season, that we can hold our nerve on the big occasion. That said, Liverpool did not have their best team when they played us.

"It would be a disaster for Liverpool if they failed to qualify but it would be a disaster for us too because we would have come so close. Liverpool's experience in this kind of match is without doubt an asset and on paper they are favourites.

"But, on the other hand, matches are not played on paper and we are at home. And this kind of match generates the kind of pressure that a coach adores."

Marseille's talented young playmaker Samir Nasri has been out of action with health problems for much of this season and will be a doubtful starter.

Gerets added: "I don't know if he (Nasri) will be ready in time and we will have to see. On Sunday he ran and kicked a few balls but without any real opposition. I'm going to wait till tonight's training and then have a talk with him after we have eaten.

"It will be a top match which will be very tough physically."

And indicating that Nasri may not start, Gerets added: "Samir has missed quite a number of weeks training and matches. I think it will be difficult for him to start the fixture."