Champions League: Liverpool v Porto big match preview

Nov 28 2007 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

Rafa Benitez and Dirk Kuyt

“It will be a difficult game, but we are at home and it is a must-win game for us. They’ll want to knock us out and finish first in the group, but we aren’t thinking about losing. We need those three points.”

Benitez is likely to again rotate his resources. Javier Mascherano is poised to replace Lucas Leiva in midfield, although the Brazilian youngster earned glowing praise from his manager following a fine full Premier League debut in the 3-0 win at Newcastle United on Saturday.

“Lucas is a player that needed a little bit of time because he has the potential,” says Benitez. “He showed the other day he has quality, character and personality, he can be available for tomorrow and any game. He is a great player.

“The Newcastle game was positive in terms of the confidence of the players. Gerrard played well, Lucas and Kewell started the game, Babel did well when he came on, Torres had a lot of chances and we kept a clean sheet, so there were a lot of very, very positive things. We have a lot of confidence now.”

One piece of less than positive news to emerge yesterday was a setback for Daniel Agger. Close to a comeback after more than 10 weeks on the sidelines, the centre-back has aggravated his broken metatarsal and is facing a scan to assess the new problem.

“We need to wait on Agger,” says Benitez. “It’s a difficult situation. He was taking it steady with his recovery but wanted to push it but I told him to calm down because he was desperate to play.

“He has a small problem again and it’s the same problem as before. He was much better, but the other day he felt something in the same metatarsal so we need to wait.”

Yossi Benayoun has recovered from the adductor problem that has ruled him out since the 8-0 win over Besiktas and could return on the right flank, while Ryan Babel, Andrei Voronin and Peter Crouch are also pushing for a start.