Ngog doubtful for Reds

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has yet another injury worry ahead of Sunday’s trip to Burnley after striker David Ngog complained of a back problem in last night’s Europa League defeat by Atletico Madrid.

The 21-year-old Frenchman was substituted in the second half as a precaution but with striker Fernando Torres ruled out for the rest of the season after a knee operation resources up front are being stretched.

Ngog will be assessed tomorrow to see whether he is fit enough to take part at Turf Moor, having scored in the Premier League victory over West Ham on Monday.

Midfielder Maxi Rodriguez returns after being ineligible in Europe but defenders Emiliano Insua, Fabio Aurelio, Martin Skrtel and Martin Kelly are all still injured.

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