Uefa Champions League third round qualifying, first leg/CSKA Sofia v Liverpool:  Rafael Benitez has vowed to stand by Fernando Morientes despite the striker conceding his form is a worry.

The manager has pledged to adapt Liverpool's style to assist the Spaniard, with signing a new winger a priority before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

Morientes, who helped Monaco reach the Champions League final two years ago but was cup-tied last season as Liverpool won the competition in Istanbul, heads into tonight's qualifier against CSKA Sofia with Benitez admitting: "We know he can play better, he knows he can play better and he wants to play better."

The former Real Madrid frontman (29) finds himself with plenty to prove to Reds supporters, having cost £6.3 million when he arrived in January with the reputation of being one of Europe's most lethal finishers.

The wait goes on for proof of such ability, with Morientes having just three goals from 17 games to his name so far.

After a full pre-season, Morientes is expected to lead Liverpool's attack in the Champions League third qualifying round first leg in Bulgaria, as Peter Crouch has a hamstring injury and the Liverpool future of Milan Baros remains in doubt.

Benitez, supportive of his fellow Spaniard, said: "Fernando will improve, I am sure. We have all the ingredients to see the best of him this season.

"He is training well and I insist that if we provide more crosses for him we will see a better Fernando.

"We do not need to change a lot of things. We play with width and we get in crosses, but we need to do that more and more."

A move for Luis Figo failed when the Real Madrid veteran joined Inter Milan, but Benitez is aware a right winger would add a new dimension to his side.

Morientes feeds off accurate crossing, as does Crouch, one of eight players sidelined as Liverpool seek to reach the lucrative group stages.

Benitez is under no illusions about CSKA, who won their domestic title after losing just one game and will present a very worrying obstacle - far greater than TNS or Kaunas, who Liverpool played in their last two qualifying rounds.

He said: "CSKA are a far better team than the last two sides we have played in the tournament.

"They play good football and keep possession, they are quick and they are tight in defence. They are far from a bad team and have some good players. We need to be very careful because this will be much more difficult than the previous two rounds.

"This is a step up, a real test for the players. That is what we will be telling them. The message is to be careful because we know how important this round will be."

Spanish youth international Antonio Barragan has been added to the squad, the former Sevilla full back (18) having impressed in training since joining this summer.

Goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek's dislocated elbow has only added to Benitez' problems, and he will also be without winger Boudewijn Zenden, who has a muscle strain.