Alonso available to face Benfica

Xabi Alonso returns to the Liverpool squad for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash against Benfica.

The Spanish midfielder missed the FA Cup victory over Manchester United with a thigh injury, but boss Rafael Benitez confirmed he would return for the trip to face Portugal’s two-time former European champions.

Robbie Fowler could make his maiden Champions League appearance, and may start, but there is a doubt over defender Daniel Agger, who suffered a leg injury in the reserves last week, and Jan Kromkamp is cup-tied.

Rafa Benitez believes Benfica winger Simao Sabrosa poses the biggest threat to the European champions at the Stadium of Light.

Liverpool tried to buy the Portuguese international in the close-season before the deal collapsed at the last moment.

"We have talked about Simao many times. We know it will be difficult but we have confidence in facing him," Benitez told reporters.    "Simao is a good player and we need to control him. Maybe after these two games people in England may say he's not so good - that will mean we have done our job."

Benfica knocked Manchester United out in their final group game by winning 2-1 at home and Benitez admires the way manager Ronald Koeman arranges his team to play on European nights.

"They have a balance that you need. They are one of the best teams in Portugal and score a lot of goals in the league," he said. "In the Champions League it is harder, but they have the balance between scoring and conceding goals right.

"We have experience now and we will try to control the game if possible. We will try to score; it is important to score away from home."

Liverpool go into the tie in great form with a league win over Arsenal followed up by Saturday's 1-0 win over Manchester United at Anfield, their first FA Cup win over their arch rivals for 85 years.

Benfica's hopes of mounting a successful domestic title defence appear to be fading. A 2-0 loss at Vitoria Guimaraes on Saturday left them fourth in the Portuguese championship, eight points behind leaders Porto.

Provisional squad: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise, Traore, Warnock, Luis Garcia, Alonso, Sissoko, Hamann, Gerrard, Kewell, Fowler, Crouch, Morientes, Cisse, Dudek, Carson, Agger.