Injury Crisis- Rafa is worried
Under-fire Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez faces the worst injury crisis of his five-year Anfield reign ahead of Sunday's visit of Manchester United.
Steven Gerrard limped out of Tuesday's 2-1 Champions League defeat by Lyon with a groin injury, while Glen Johnson and Fernando Torres are also doubtful.
The defeat was Liverpool's fourth on the trot in all competitions and equals their worst run since 1987.
Benitez said: "I cannot remember an injury situation like this."
Gerrard left the pitch midway through the first half of the tie against Lyon because of a recurrence of the groin injury he suffered while playing for England.
Winger Albert Riera needs a scan on a hamstring injury and teenager Martin Kelly, who replaced Johnson at right-back, picked up an ankle injury during the game.
"There are other players with other problems," added Benitez.
"I have no idea what team I can put out against Manchester United until we have had the players tested and seen by the medical team."
If there was someone at Liverpool with their hand on the tiller Benitez's job may be under more threat but who is going to do it?
BBC Sport summariser Pat Nevin
Liverpool's Premier League title ambitions are already in a precarious state after four defeats in their opening nine games has left them seven points behind Sunday's visitors and top-flight leaders United.
And Tuesday's Champions League defeat means the Reds are in danger of not qualifying from their group.
Lyon top the group with a 100% record from their first three games, while Fiorentina defeated Hungarian champions Debrecen to put them in the second qualification spot on six points.
Liverpool, who have three points from their first three games, visit Lyon on 4 November and then go to the Hungarian capital Budapest to take on Debrecen on 24 November before playing host to Fiorentina on 9 December.
However, former Liverpool manager Roy Evans believes the Reds can still qualify for the last 16.
"When you lose at home in the Champions League it puts pressure on but a draw and two wins would probably see them through in second place," Evans told BBC Radio 5 live.
He also thinks the Liverpool hierarchy should stick with Benitez.
"Rafa has always been tactically strong in Europe but he's going to struggle without his best players," added Evans.
"And sometimes fans don't always agree with a manager's decision but you can't always blame the manager, sometimes the players have to look at themselves.
"Rafa's had a decent five years. He started with a bang by winning the Champions League but once things start going the wrong way people start getting on your back.
"Hopefully, Liverpool supporters, who are renowned for their knowledge of football, will get behind him and the club.
"And if the club can get Torres and Gerrard fit for the weekend a win against United could kick-start the season."
Meanwhile, BBC Radio 5 live summariser Pat Nevin believes a lack of structure behind the scenes at Anfield may prove to be Benitez's saving grace in the immediate future.
"One of the big things saving Rafa is that there is no great single control at Liverpool," Nevin told BBC Sport.
"If there was someone with their hand on the tiller his job may be under more threat but who is going to do it?
"Both of the owners aren't really talking to each other. They would have to come to some sort of agreement about that but they can't seem to agree about anything.
"The former chief executive, Rick Parry, was maybe the only person who was strong enough and he's gone."
BBC
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I have a ticket for sunday. Not sure if I can bear it though :-( I have been telling Mancs for months about what we are going to do to them and now its all gone down the pan with these injuries
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Steven Gerrard limped out of Tuesday's 2-1 Champions League defeat by Lyon with a groin injury, while Glen Johnson and Fernando Torres are also doubtful.
The defeat was Liverpool's fourth on the trot in all competitions and equals their worst run since 1987.
Benitez said: "I cannot remember an injury situation like this."
Gerrard left the pitch midway through the first half of the tie against Lyon because of a recurrence of the groin injury he suffered while playing for England.
Winger Albert Riera needs a scan on a hamstring injury and teenager Martin Kelly, who replaced Johnson at right-back, picked up an ankle injury during the game.
"There are other players with other problems," added Benitez.
"I have no idea what team I can put out against Manchester United until we have had the players tested and seen by the medical team."
If there was someone at Liverpool with their hand on the tiller Benitez's job may be under more threat but who is going to do it?
BBC Sport summariser Pat Nevin
Liverpool's Premier League title ambitions are already in a precarious state after four defeats in their opening nine games has left them seven points behind Sunday's visitors and top-flight leaders United.
And Tuesday's Champions League defeat means the Reds are in danger of not qualifying from their group.
Lyon top the group with a 100% record from their first three games, while Fiorentina defeated Hungarian champions Debrecen to put them in the second qualification spot on six points.
Liverpool, who have three points from their first three games, visit Lyon on 4 November and then go to the Hungarian capital Budapest to take on Debrecen on 24 November before playing host to Fiorentina on 9 December.
However, former Liverpool manager Roy Evans believes the Reds can still qualify for the last 16.
"When you lose at home in the Champions League it puts pressure on but a draw and two wins would probably see them through in second place," Evans told BBC Radio 5 live.
He also thinks the Liverpool hierarchy should stick with Benitez.
"Rafa has always been tactically strong in Europe but he's going to struggle without his best players," added Evans.
"And sometimes fans don't always agree with a manager's decision but you can't always blame the manager, sometimes the players have to look at themselves.
"Rafa's had a decent five years. He started with a bang by winning the Champions League but once things start going the wrong way people start getting on your back.
"Hopefully, Liverpool supporters, who are renowned for their knowledge of football, will get behind him and the club.
"And if the club can get Torres and Gerrard fit for the weekend a win against United could kick-start the season."
Meanwhile, BBC Radio 5 live summariser Pat Nevin believes a lack of structure behind the scenes at Anfield may prove to be Benitez's saving grace in the immediate future.
"One of the big things saving Rafa is that there is no great single control at Liverpool," Nevin told BBC Sport.
"If there was someone with their hand on the tiller his job may be under more threat but who is going to do it?
"Both of the owners aren't really talking to each other. They would have to come to some sort of agreement about that but they can't seem to agree about anything.
"The former chief executive, Rick Parry, was maybe the only person who was strong enough and he's gone."
BBC
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I have a ticket for sunday. Not sure if I can bear it though :-( I have been telling Mancs for months about what we are going to do to them and now its all gone down the pan with these injuries
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