Lucas slots in for Liverpool

Liverpool have chosen Lucas as a replacement for the suspended Javier Mascherano in midfield as they prepare to face Chelsea for the fifth time in as many seasons in the UEFA Champions League tonight.

The Blues’ Ivorian striker Didier Drogba has won his battle to shake off an ankle injury to spearhead the attack in the quarter-final first leg at Anfield.

France striker Nicolas Anelka has to settle for a place among the substitutes while Branislav Ivanovic has been handed the right-back berth in place of the injured Jose Bosingwa.

Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Kuyt, Lucas, Alonso, Riera, Gerrard, Torres.

Subs: Cavalieri, Dossena, Hyypia, Agger, Benayoun, Babel, Ngog.

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Ashley Cole, Kalou, Ballack, Essien, Lampard, Malouda, Drogba.

Subs: Hilario, Carvalho, Belletti, Mancienne, Mikel, Deco, Anelka.

Referee: Claus Bo Larsen (Denmark).