Liverpool field weakened team

Liverpool suffered a double defensive injury blow prior to their Champions League last-16 second leg clash with Benfica at Anfield.

The European champions needed to overturn a 1-0 deficit to progress but their shape was altered by the loss of John Arne Riise and Sami Hyypia.

Riise suffered a late training injury that will keep him out for three weeks while Hyypia, who has been troubled by a hamstring problem, was named only on the bench.

That meant Djimi Traore was brought in at centre-back with Neil Warnock coming in at left-back. Luis Garcia returned and Rafael Benitez opted for Fernando Morientes up front alongside Peter Crouch.

Benfica had Brazilian star Geovanni back after missing the first leg a fortnight ago in Lisbon with a torn thigh muscle. Beto was preferred to Giorgos Karagounis while former Newcastle player Laurent Robert was on the wing.

Liverpool v Benfica teams

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Traore, Warnock, Luis Garcia, Gerrard, Alonso, Kewell, Morientes, Crouch.

Subs: Dudek, Hyypia, Cisse, Fowler, Hamann, Anderson, Barragan.

Benfica: Moretto, Alcides, Luisao, Anderson, Leo, Robert, Beto, Manuel, Geovanni, Simao, Nuno Gomes.

Subs: Quim, Karagounis, Karyaka, Marcel, Nelson, Miccoli, Ricardo Rocha.

Referee: Massimo De Santis (Italy)