Liverpool make five changes

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez made five changes from the side that beat Sunderland for the Champions League third qualifying round second-leg clash against CSKA Sofia.

With Steven Gerrard injured, Benitez also rested Jose Reina, Xabi Alonso, Jamie Carragher and Bolo Zenden, and brought in Josemi, Scott Carson, Dietmar Hamann, John Arne Riise and Darren Potter.

With Friday’s Super Cup in Monaco against CSKA Moscow in mind, the Anfield chief was clearly intent on saving the legs of some of his stars for UEFA’s showpiece match.

Sami Hyypia captained the side, and Josemi was asked to play in central defence, while teenagers Florent Sinama-Pongolle and Antonio Barragan were on the bench.

The day had been dominated by the departure of Milan Baros and claims Liverpool made an inquiry for Bolton’s Stelios Giannakopoulos, with further speculation Sinama-Pongolle was now a target for French side Lyon.