Benitez facing selection dilemma as key duo suffer curse of the metatarsal

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez is facing up to the first serious test of the Anfield club’s unbeaten season after key players Daniel Agger and Xabi Alonso were ruled out with injuries.

At the same time veteran defender Sami Hyypia is having to contend with scrutiny over his ability to continue at the highest level.

Hyypia, 34 next month and in his ninth season at the club, was a summer target of Fulham, Newcastle and Bolton, but despite Agger becoming a first choice alongside Jamie Carragher, the Finland defender was determined to see out the final year of his contract.