Benitez opts for Carson in goal

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez again opted not to risk Jerzy Dudek’s hamstring injury and gave young goalkeeper Scott Carson his European debut.

Sami Hyypia returned to defence while Benitez opted for a two-man attack with France Under-21 star Anthony Le Tallec in the starting line-up alongside Milan Baros.

Juventus had playmaker Pavel Nedved back for the first time since late February following a head injury, with France striker David Trezeguet on the bench for the Serie A giants who only conceded two goals in the Champions League this season before this clash.

Alessio Tacchinardi was suspended while Ciro Ferrara and Olivier Kapo were both suspended from the Turin giants, with the two sides playing their first competitive fixture since the Heysel disaster of 1985.