Reds face Porto without Alonso

Last season’s beaten finalists Liverpool were without midfielder Xabi Alonso, who has failed to recover from an ankle problem initially sustained at Portsmouth on Saturday, and aggravated last night in training at the Estadio Dragao.

Boss Rafael Benitez made six changes from the side that drew at Fratton Park, with Sami Hyypia at the back, Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano and Ryan Babel in midfield with what looks like his first-choice front pairing of Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt.

Although Porto have not lost in nine home Champions League games against English sides – including the big four of Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United – the Anfield men’s record of just three defeats in their last 17 away European group games certainly boosted their confidence ahead of this opening Group A clash.

FC Porto: Nuno, Bruno Alves, Paulo Assuncao, Quaresma, Lucho Gonzalez, Lopez, Bosingwa, Fucile, Joao Paulo, Raul Meireles, Sektioui.

Subs: Ventura, Stepanov, Cech, Mariano Gonzalez, Bolatti, Farias, Kazmierczak.

Liverpool: Reina, Finnan, Hyypia, Arbeloa, Carragher, Pennant, Mascherano, Gerrard, Babel, Torres, Kuyt.

Subs: Itandje, Agger, Voronin, Benayoun, Aurelio, Crouch, Lucas.