Babel back for Liverpool

Forward Ryan Babel returns to Liverpool’s squad for their Europa League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid tomorrow.

The Holland international has served a one-match suspension for his sending-off in the last-eight first leg against Benfica and provides a welcome boost to an injury-ravaged squad.

Striker Fernando Torres has been ruled out for the rest of the season after a knee operation at the weekend while defenders Fabio Aurelio, Emiliano Insua (both thigh), Martin Skrtel (foot) and Martin Kelly (knee) were all left behind on Merseyside to continue their rehabilitation.

Provisional squad: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Kyrgiakos, Agger, Lucas, Mascherano, Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun, Ngog, Cavalieri, Babel, Aquilani, Degen, El Zhar, Pacheco, Ayala, Plessis.