Liverpool boss in selection dilemma

NEW Liverpool chief Rafael Benitez is facing a selection poser for their Champions League return of how to get £11million Spanish star Xabi Alonso into the side to face last season’s runners-up Monaco at Anfield this week.

Benitez played a midfield five on Saturday, which seems to be his favoured tactic, which included outstanding displays from Luis Garcia and Steven Gerrard.

Dietmar Hamann, Steve Finnan in an unfamiliar right-sided role and Harry Kewell also contributed to the 3-0 success over West Brom.

Alonso started the game on the bench before replacing goalscorer Garcia with 25 minutes left.

If Benitez plays an extra striker in Milan Baros against the French side, it reduces his options of fitting the Spaniard into his starting line up on Wednesday.

The former Valencia chief explained Alonso's omission against West Brom, having been fielded in a central role in the defeat at Bolton a fortnight previously.

Benitez said: "I need a balance in midfield. With Gerrard and Hamann we had control of midfield. For this game we did not need three central midfielders, which is why Alonso started on the bench."

Benitez's selection thoughts have been complicated by the excellent display of Finnan in a wide right role he occupies for the Republic of Ireland on occasions. Finnan scored his first goal for the club and provided solid defensive support for Josemi down the right flank.

Benitez admitted before Saturday's game that he would not be afraid to leave out star names in search of a better team balance.

There were concerns that his tactical plan did not work properly at Bolton, where both Alonso and Garcia played.

He said: "My idea was to use the best players, but sometimes the best players do not always make the best team."