Alonso misses out

Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso will miss the Champions League trip to Stamford Bridge as Liverpool and Chelsea complete their Group G fixtures.

The 23-year-old Reds playmaker has suffered a slight reaction to the ankle injury which has restricted him lately, having played a key role in the 3-0 win over Wigan on Saturday.

If Liverpool had needed to win at Chelsea to qualify, Alonso would probably been pressed into action, but boss Rafael Benitez has the opportunity to rest the player ahead of Saturday’s home game with Middlesbrough.

Mohamed Sissoko, banned at the weekend, returns to the squad as Benitez considers shuffling his squad with qualification already assured.

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