Liverpool vs. Lyon Preview
20th October, 2009
Liverpool hosts French team Lyon in the Champions League on Tuesday and head into a Group E clash with the news that captain, Steven Gerrard will be fit to play.
Inspirational skipper, Gerrard missed the Reds controversial league defeat at Sunderland on Saturday through injury, but his return will be a massive boost.
Argentine players, Javier Mascherano and Emiliano Insua are also likely to return to the starting eleven after being on the substitute’s bench at the weekend, after helping their country capture world cup qualification beforehand.
However, Rafael Benitez’s team will still be without star striker Fernando Torres, as he is currently sidelined with an abdominal problem.
The Spanish manager told BBC Sport Benitez added: "Fernando is not close enough to fitness to be considered. He will miss this one but I hope he will be OK to play against Manchester United next weekend."
So far this season Liverpool has been inconsistent, as they currently sit in eighth position in the Premier League and are third in group E of the Champions League with a win and a defeat so far.
After tonight’s game, Liverpool play arch rivals Manchester United on Sunday at Anfield. Benitez believes victory in the two up-coming matches can kick start their season.
"You can guarantee that if we win against Lyon the mood will change, and if we can win against United, the mood will be totally different. When you are not winning, to play another game quickly and have the opportunity to change things is the best thing”.
To win Liverpool is 17/20 with bet 24, Lyon are 4/1 with Tote sport. The draw is 5/2 with William Hill
By Dane
