Gerrard blow puts Alonso in line for Juve showdown

STEVEN GERRARD'S shock withdrawal from Liverpool's Champions League showdown with Juventus puts Spanish international Xabi Alonso in line for a first team comeback.

The £11million midfielder, signed from Real Sociedad last summer, could be thrust into the cauldron of the Stadio Delle Alpi tomorrow night as Liverpool try to defend a 2-1 first leg lead against the Italian giants with a semi-final spot at stake.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez left Alonso out of Saturday's disappointing defeat at Manchester City to give him three days of extra training with a view to including the 23 year-old in the squad for the trip to Turin.