Benitez banking on Torres gamble

Fernando Torres will carry the hopes of Liverpool on his shoulders tonight, with boss Rafael Benitez praying his gamble to play the injured striker pays off.

Liverpool face Group E leaders Lyon in the Stade Gerland knowing that only a victory will keep alive any realistic hopes of staying in the Champions League this season.

Liverpool are without Steven Gerrard, Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio, Albert Riera and Glen Johnson.

Torres, despite struggling with a hernia problem, will start the match and so too could Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani.

Benitez said: “Fernando is improving, we do not want him to have an operation so we are managing his fitness carefully.

“But he is getting better. He had some pain after he played, and scored, against Manchester United. But he was better after the Fulham game at the weekend, although he could still feel something wrong.

“I hope that he will be even better for this match. I said recently that 80 per cent of Fernando can win matches, I hope that is the case again.”