LIVERPOOL star Alberto Aquilani has described tomorrow's eagerly anticipated clash at the Britannia Stadium as 'hugely important' in their quest to get their faltering 2009/10 campaign back on track.

The Kopites arrive at the Britannia Stadium looking to bridge a five-point gap between themselves and rivals Manchester City who currently occupy fourth place.

But their task of doing that suffered a major blow yesterday with the news that influential duo Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres are both ruled out of the game along with Yossi Benayoun, Glenn Johnson and Javier Mascherano.

But despite their absence Aquilani believes Rafael Benitez still has enough quality at his disposal to ensure a third successive League victory.

"We don't think, 'We haven't got these players, we've lost already'. It is true they are among the best players in the world, but we have to be focused and try to play without them," he told Liverpool's official website.

"It's very hard for us at the moment but we have to carry on, keep trying. The game this weekend is very, very important for us, and we have to do something to ensure we finish in the top four.

"This season is not going as well as we'd like but if we're focused we can play well. We have won the last two games in the league and now Stoke is important, very important.

"They have some difficult tactics like the long throws. They have tall players and get them in the box for free-kicks. It's important for us to remain focused if and when they use these tactics."

The blow of losing several of their key performers was softened just 48 hours ago when Liverpool completed the signing of highly rated Argentina international Maxi Rodriguez; someone Aquilani says can help turn their season around.

"He is an important player who can help us - he can help the team," said the 25-year-old. "We are going through a difficult time but if we work together we can get through it.

"I know him as a player but haven't played against him. I remember him playing for Argentina."