Depleted Liverpool look to hold Leverkusen

Liverpool were seeking to build on their recent good away form in Europe and reach their 10th European Cup quarter-final in 15 appearances in the competition.

Ahead of tonight’s game with Bayer Leverkusen, which Liverpool started 3-1 up after the first leg at Anfield, Rafael Benitez’s outfit had won nine times in 22 previous away games in all competitions this season – with two of those victories in their four previous Champions League trips.

However, with Harry Kewell and Djimi Traore, who both played in the first leg, added to the list of absentees, it meant 10 players were either injured or cup-tied.

Youngster Stephen Warnock was drafted in at left-back with the influential Steven Gerrard returning from suspension in his forward midfield role.

Leverkusen – beaten only once at home in 15 games this term – were without Roque Junior, Juan and Jens Nowotny through injury, while Robson Ponte and Paul Freier were suspended.