Alonso out of Hammers clash

Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has been ruled out of tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to West Ham.

The Spain star suffered severe bruising in the tackle that brought Joey Barton a red card – and subsequently censure from his manager Alan Shearer – in last weekend’s 3-0 win over Newcastle.

Manager Rafael Benitez has better news elsewhere, with Fernando Torres (hamstring) and Javier Mascherano (ankle) both fit to travel to Upton Park.

“Xabi is not fit and cannot play,” Benitez said.

“We think maybe in the next week he will be okay. We had an idea that he could be fit for this game but in the end it was impossible.

“Javier was training and is in the squad, and so is Fernando.”