Alonso set for return in homeland

Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso is expected to return to the Liverpool starting line-up for the Group G Champions League clash with Real Betis in Seville.

The playmaker was rested on the substitutes’ bench for Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Spurs and he was only introduced in the second half as a replacement for Stephen Warnock.

Manager Rafael Benitez must decide whether he is going to play with just one striker in Peter Crouch or continue the partnership up front with Djibril Cisse. Fernando Morientes is still out with a hamstring injury.

Provisional squad: Reina, Finnan, Josemi, Carragher, Hyypia, Whitbread, Warnock, Traore, Riise, Luis Garcia, Hamann, Sissoko, Gerrard, Cisse, Crouch, Sinama-Pongolle, Carson, Potter, Zenden.